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Turtles on Ohope Beach
Contributed by Rosemary Tully of Whakatane Bird Rescue.
 Turtles
are sometimes seen at sea, they are all either critically endangered (CR
A1) whereby a reduction in numbers of 80% has been found over the last
10 years or endangered (EN A1) which means that the numbers have dropped
by 50% over the last 10 years.
Turtles mate at sea, and return to the place where they hatched to lay
their eggs. Digging
a chamber in the sand, above the high tide mark, then filling the chamber
with sand. When
the hatchlings return to the sea, they run the risk of being eaten by
birds, fish, sharks etc.
This is if man, pigs, or other predators have not dug up the eggs!
Some nests can hold over a 100 eggs (green turtle) while others may only
lay 50+ eggs. Another
threat to the turtle is the plastic bag; these resemble jellyfish and
are eaten by the turtles, which then die.
Some turtles are also caught in fishing nets/lines.
Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea (CR A1) also called
Leathery turtle
A leatherback turtle was found on the beach at Ohope a few years ago,
this was decaying but quite large, being over a metre in length.
The colour is blackish, and small irregular white or pinkish spots are
present. It feeds
mainly on jellyfish and nests on islands in eastern Malaya, French Guiana,
and Costa Rica, Celon etc.
It has been reported nesting in Fiji. It
is estimated the world population of breeding females is just over 2000
The above photograph of a leatherback turtle on Ohope Beach shows
the shell being a thick leathery skin, tapering towards the rear.
 The
photograph to the right was taken between Thornton and Matata of a small
turtle that had come ashore.
It has not been positively identified, but maybe a hawksbill turtle.
It was about .5 metre long.
To view the red list of different endangered species etc go to: - www.redlist.org/
If finding a turtle on the beach report it to the Department of Conservation
and give directions to where on the beach the turtle can be found.
Check for any tags that maybe on the flipper and record the number.
Taking photos is a good way to record the turtles, as can be seen from
the turtle photographed near Thornton.
Turtles are fully protected under the Wildlife Act, and must not be
harassed or harmed.
© Ohope Beach.info 2003
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