Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Karkum's 2010 Turtle Tagging Data



On the 05th of September 2010 Wence (Wenceslaus Magun) boarded Air Niugini and travelled to Madang. Whilst waiting to board his plane he had a quick chat with Jeff Kinch from SPREP who was already in Madang to find out if Lui was going to accompany him on his trip to Karkum. Jeff informed Wence that Lui could not make it but that there is a possibility for some members of SPREP deligation in Madang to visit the project site and invited Wence to go visit them at the Madang Resort Hotel to confirm this plan.

The meeting with Jeff and Sima at the Madang Resort a day later confirmed this plan thus seeing Wence travel the following day to Karkum village to make arrangements for the visit of the SPREP delegation.

At Karkum Wence reviewed the turtle data information that was given to him whilst he was in Madang town before meeting Jeff to hand him those information with the latest data information the beach rangers had and updated the data which he had delivered to Jeff at the Madang Resort Hotel.

In his assessment, Wence noted that due to lack of proper supervision and lack of stipend to beach rangers, some of the data they have collected was NOT effectively, efficiently and accurately gathered. The views Wence gauged from the majority of the village beach rangers and elders and the Karkum Conservation team leaders is that there is a eminent need for another Turtle Training; that must cover both the theory and the practical aspects of turtle tagging, and monitoring. He also noted that an experienced para-biologist must be engaged to supervise the beach rangers during the turtle tagging and monitoring exercise. The beach rangers also expressed concerns that they needed proper measuring tapes, weighing machines and other turtle tagging and monitoring devices to help them do a proper job. Unless these needs are addressed, the current information may not be reliable for the purpose of keeping a proper turtle data information at the SPREP office. The edited turtle data information are hereby enclosed:

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 1
Date: 16th February 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Max Magal Andrew
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 8:00pm Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -2
Date: 18th March 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Cathy Nambon and Martin Nambon
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long basis klostu long haus win blong Bill – klostu long Mangas
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:00am Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Eggs successfully hatched and hatchlings returned to sea but no records were taken.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 3
Date: 30th March 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long basis klostu long haus blong Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:00am Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 4
Date: 05th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Yek Kanak (Marmar)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:30am Activity: Not seen, just the nest area was sighted; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs eaten by dogs (feral animals on the same day).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 5
Date: 16th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Idung Ken (Yek-kanak)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 10:00am Activity: Mother not sighted but sighted eggs after water changed direction and washed up the nest sight; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs had formed turtle hatchlings. One premature hatchling removed from an egg. Hard and black colour inside egg shells. Other eggs were dug out and relocated by Andrew).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 6
Date: 17th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Idung Ken (Yek-kanak). On sandy beach between Idung and Iser rivers
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Turtle not sighted but nest was sighted and marked by Andrew (beach ranger); Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa

Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 7
Date: 20th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Tallelwap (klostu long put)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left

Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 8
Date: 19th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Tallelwap (klostu long put)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 9
Date: 25th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) Yek kanak (Namel long Idung na Iser)
TURTLE
Time of encounter Not recorded Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa

Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Nests was not seen until previous nest (eggs) started hatching – accidently sighted by Andrew Magal (Beach ranger).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 10
Date: 31st January 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Gideon Mutindep
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 18.5m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) klostu long haus bilong Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter10:12 am or pm?; Activity: crawing up and laying eggs; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number: R5150? Flipper: Right; R45104 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 157 cm?; Curved carapace width: 112 cm?
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: 125
Egg data: 125 a) diameter 16cm b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Fifteen successful hatchlings seen going down to the sea.
2. Photos taken with the Association’s camera (Wence could not find them)


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 11
Date: 21thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observers: Andrew, Kenneth and Rex
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:110; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter:5:30am; Activity:Covering eggs Zone: _________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type:Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length:160 cm Curved carapace width:120 cm

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:______ ; Depth of bottom: _____
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. The turtle was closely watched by the rangers digging its nest and laying its eggs before returning to sea but no photos were taken.
2. Beach ranger John Maguya saw feral animals (dogs/pigs) dig the nesting site
3. He chased the dogs and pigs and saved one hatchling. (See video footage)
4. Twenty one (hatchlings) died in the nest only one survived. Total of 22 hatchlings.
5. King tidal waves had washed sand onto the nesting site causing hatchlings to die.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 12
Date: 20thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: NOT SEEN
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:____; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___

Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) klostu long gest haus
TURTLE
Time of encounter:12:43pm; Activity:laying eggs Zone: Vegetation edge
Primary tag number: NIL Flipper: Right; NIL Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:______ ; Depth of bottom: _____
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Did not see the turtle but identified footprint and nest to be of Green Turtle

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -13
Date: 19thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:____; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter:3:30am; Activity: __________; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg: 20cm; Depth of bottom: 30cm
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Same leatherback turtle returned but did not lay any eggs.
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 14
Date: 9th January 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Beach Ranger Team Leader and Mark Khon
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Vegetation; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) stret long maus rot long haus bilong Mr. Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter:_______; Activity: _Laid eggs_________; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: _Not done_______ Flipper: Right; _________ Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 186 (102=Big Eggs & 84=Small Eggs)
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg: 20cm; Depth of bottom: 30cm
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
The team of beach rangers dug this nest to count the eggs. It was filmed.
1. Twelve (hatchlings) returned to sea in the morning (video taken), many at night (footage not taken).
2. Number of spoilt eggs not counted
3. Video footage taken with community camera.
4. Leatherback laying eggs at full moon time witnessed by many villagers


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 15
Date: 30th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Danip Yaiyem
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) Long Talewap klostu long bikpela kalapulim.
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 5:30am; Activity: Covering eggs; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: 108
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Same leatherback turtle that was sighted and tagged on the 06th of December 2009.
2. Video footage taken;
3. King tidal waves destroyed all the eggs when the waves washed up more sand dunes onto the nesting site.
4. Number of eggs not counted.
5. Ranger who recorded the information on the destruction of the nests did not write his/her name.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 16
Date: 29th December 2009
Turtle Species: Loggerhead or Green Turtle not sure
Name of observer: Andrew Ungai
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE

Time of encounter:4:30am; Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: High Sand
Primary tag number: Flipper: Right; Flipper: Left (not tagged)
Tag type: Address:_____________________
Curved carapace length: _________Curved carapace width: _______
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 98
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Turtle Not Tagged; 2. Beach Ranger Andrew Magal dug up the eggs to find that all the eggs were destroyed due to rising sea adding more sand dunes onto the previous layer. 3. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest was taken.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 17
Date: 18th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Larry Yapen
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 5:30am; Activity: covering nest; Zone: High Sand
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not Counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Same turtle that was seen on the 17th of December 2009 without laying eggs returned and layed its eggs this morning. 2. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest taken and the name of the person/s who dug up the nest.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -18
Date: 17th December 2009

Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Ungai and Damian Unung
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: ; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 3:00am; Activity: crawling up; Zone: ___________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length:1 60 cm; Curved carapace width: 1 20 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: NIL
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Did not find suitable nesting site?? Made attempts to dig but returned to sea without laying eggs. 2. A Beach Ranger dug up the eggs to find that all the eggs were destroyed due to rising sea adding more sand dunes onto the previous layer. 3.No dates indicating when eggs were dug up and who did it and the number of eggs recorded.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 19
Date: 06th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Willie Mayang
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 2:00am; Activity: laying eggs; Zone: Vegetation Edge
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 128

Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Second of the third leatherback that was laying its eggs when photographed since this project was launched in November 2008.
1. Tried moving eggs to save them from king (tidal) waves;
2. Nest was dug by feral animals (pig). Andrew saw the pig digging and chased it away;
3. Made bamboo fencing
4. Checked and saw two (2) dead hatchlings on day # 53.
5. Rest of the eggs were spoilt (number not recorded)
6. Four empty egg shells indicated that four hatchlings went down to the sea.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 20
Date: 06th December 2009
Turtle Species: Green Turtle
Name of observer: Ambo Nigida
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 12:43pm; Activity: laying eggs; Zone: Vegetation Edge
Primary tag number: Flipper: Right; R45086 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 63 cm; Curved carapace width: 60 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 68
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:

In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. King (tidal waves disturbed all the eggs. Dug out and removed 2. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest taken and the name of the person/s who dug up the nest.

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