2023-08-04 20:29:54
CONSERVATION. The Zoo de Granby and the organization Aquasearch, a scientific office offering expertise in the environmental and oceanographic field, recently joined forces to conduct scientific research in Martinique concerning three species of sea turtles with precarious status. Members of the organization were at the Zoo de Granby to present the first elements of their research.
It was Benjamin de Montgolfier, director of Aquasearch and marine biologist attached to the University of the West Indies, who presented the first results of research concerning the populations of sea turtles laying eggs in Martinique. The various data were notably compiled by various students who worked in close collaboration with Aquasearch and the Zoo de Granby.
The students were tasked with surveying turtles that travel to three different beaches to lay eggs, assess reproductive success rates among females, and identify threat factors that may impact egg laying and egg survival . The objective of this large-scale research project is to monitor the spawning of these huge reptiles, which often depend on vast expanses of fine sand to reproduce.
According to the report, we learn in particular that crowds on beaches, noise, light pollution and the presence of predators, whether native or introduced, are all factors that influence nesting success in turtles. But according to researcher Benjamin de Montgolfier, there is still a lot to be done to understand the mysteries of this animal. “With this research, we want to know what constitutes a good breeding site for sea turtles. We know that they come back to lay eggs on the pages where they were born, but what is a good site really? “, wondered Benjamin de Montgolfier.
The Franco-Quebec research team is interested in this reptile in particular because the populations are in decline, while the fine sandy beaches, essential for the turtles to be able to lay their eggs, are also very popular with tourists.
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