Jalova Monthly Achievement Report August 2017

Green Turtle Season is Heating Up!

Objective
Every day the staff, interns and volunteers stationed at the Jalova Hub work tirelessly
together to collect important scientific data, improve our knowledge of the natural world and
to make a difference. Our research is focused on four main projects, Jaguar monitoring, Sea
Turtle conservation, Canal Bird and Forest Biodiversity observation.

Summary
GVIs Jalova Hub is located right in the heart of one of the largest remaining Green Turtle
rookeries in the world. The presence of these amazing sea creatures has not only inspired the
creation of Tortugero NP itself but also attracts thousands of tourists and GVI volunteers to
the area each year. It will come as no surprise that the excitement surrounding peak Green
Turtle Season has been the focus of attention this month.

Report
So far, this years Green Turtle season has been incredibly successful! Every night, a group of
interns and volunteers led by one of our experienced staff members will head out into the
night to patrol our beach for nesting turtles. During these night surveys, our enthusiastic sur-
vey team will aim to work as many turtles as possible with a spot of healthy competition in-
evitably ensuing! There are several elements involved in the working of a turtle. Firstly, our
survey team will count the eggs laid by the turtle and mark her nest. Doing so helps us deter-
mine hatching success on our stretch of the beach. During the Month of August alone we
have marked 21 Green Turtle nests with a total of 60 nests currently being monitored daily.

Secondly, important measurements such as the

CCLmin and SCLmax are taking to gather as
much information about our turtles as possible.
This month we have measured our biggest
turtle this year who came in at 119cm! A body
check is then performed to check for deformi-
ties, injuries and the presence of fibropapillo-
mas. Working a turtle is not always easy how-
ever, we have already encountered several
feisty turtles who do not want their
measurements taken! This has not been a prob-
lem for our well-trained volunteers who have
never failed to take a measurement. This suc-
cess may be down to post-survey practice ses-
sions with the help of the newest addition to
the turtle team, Trashy the Turtle.
One of our interns using Trashy the Turtle to practice taking
carapace measurements.

August 2017
Last but certainly not least, the turtle will be tagged with her own unique reference number
if she is not already tagged. Tagging turtles allows our partners at the Sea Turtle Conservancy
(STC) to monitor these fascinating creatures! Our Turtle project leader Stephanie and Canal
Bird project leader Thijs have been going head to head to see who can tag the most turtles in
one night! So far Thijs is the forerunner with an incredible 12 turtles tagged but who can say
how long he will hold this lead.

It has also been an exciting month for

The Bronzy Hermit Hummingbird foraging for food along the canals.
our Canal Birds project as we have seen
the addition of 6 new species never ob-
served before within the
canals including the Hook-billed Kite,
Bronzy Hermit and the Prothonotary
Warbler! The addition of these species
shows that we are one step closer to
achieving one of our main goals,
improving our knowledge of the
biodiversity within Tortugero NP. In
other bird related news, this month as
has signaled the beginning of
migration season! Everyone at Jalova is
looking forward to the arrival of
breeding, wintering and passage
migrants alike to our shores!

Finally, August has seen the departure of Megan Brett, our previous Incidentals and Forest
Biodiversity project leader. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Megan for her
years of service and wish her well. This project has now been placed in the capable hands of
Vix Hawkins who has had quite the busy month! The re-opening of the JLO trail after a 6-week
closure for example has been an exciting development. This hiatus, caused by
increased Jaguar activity, has resulted in an explosion of biodiversity. This short absence of
human activity on the trail has had clear benefits for amphibian and reptile populations in
particular.

Sara Conlon, Forest Biodiversity Assistant, Jalova Hub.

August 2017