In celebration of the annual turtle nesting season on Queensland's Heron Island, resort owners, Delaware North Companies (DNC) have partnered with the Sea Turtle Foundation, a non-profit, non-government organisation that is dedicated to safeguarding sea turtle populations, migration routes and habitats. This annual wildlife wonder began in November with approximately 80 green turtles coming ashore every night to nest on this beautiful Great Barrier Reef coral cay.
"Many of our guests come to the island specifically to see the turtles, so we have "hatched a partnership" with the Foundation that provides guests with a greater opportunity to understand and support these amazing creatures" said Michelle Kenna, Director of Marketing for DNC. "The partnership will help to support the endangered turtles of the Great Barrier Reef including up to 900 nesting turtles annually on Heron Island" explained Kenna.
"The partnership will be a phased approach that in its initial stages will see the Foundation personnel and trained Resort staff organising guided beach walks to watch the nesting and hatching," commented Tim Harvey, a Director of the Sea Turtle Foundation. "In addition we will present information sessions and provide materials for the guests. These will also be incorporated into the Island's already highly successful Junior Rangers program for the younger guests," he continued.
The Foundation is even hoping to be able to buy a turtle stretcher for the Island this year which will help volunteers to move trapped or stranded turtles with minimal stress.
In future years the program hopes to set up live webcams which will follow the nesting and hatching real time online. An acoustic telemetry project is also in the early stages of discussion which will allow satellite trackers to be attached to selected turtles to follow their movements and log the data on their migration.
The Foundation and the Resort are hoping these projects will be supported by guest donations. Just a $10 optional contribution on check out will allow the Sea Turtle Foundation to ensure there are 'turtles for tomorrow'.
Heron Island is a true coral cay that sits right on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and boasts amazing snorkelling and diving all year round, just minutes from the beach.
For reservations to visit during turtle season please call: 1300 233 432 or +61 3 9426 7540 www.heronisland.com
Notes to editors:
From November through to March every year, a breeding population of turtles comes ashore on Heron (www.heronisland.com) to nest, approximately three to seven times during a season. The turtles lay their eggs in the area where they were born, laying on average 120 eggs in one clutch.
As early as Christmas each year, Heron Island offers the captivating opportunity to see one of life's natural wonders up close, the hatching of the early nests. By Easter, thousands of baby turtles will have emerged from their nests to make the annual scurry to the safety of the sea.
With careful guidelines in place to protect these ancient mariners, guests can observe the action on a casual walk around the island's beaches.
Turtles migrate to Heron Island from as far afield as the Solomon Islands, Cape York and Harvey Bay, returning 35 to 40 years after their birth here. Green turtles are the most common turtles around the island and are characterised by a high, domed shell and a smaller jaw than loggerhead turtles.
Loggerhead turtles have large jaws used for crushing the shells of crustaceans and molluscs and their shell is less domed in shape. Loggerheads only make up around 1%-2% of the breeding population on Heron Island, which comprises18-hectares and lies 72km off the coast of Gladstone.
Heron Island Resort is owned by Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts, owners of Australian resorts including Wilson Island, El Questro, Lizard Island and Kings Canyon Resort.
(Source: Travmedia.com)
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