Sea turtles, one of the most ancient species of our world have truly stood the test of time. They have seen human civilisations rise and fall, inspired ocean deities across cultures, and baffled scientists with their unique instincts - one of which is a hatchling's impulse to orient itself in the direction of the sea, straight from its nest.
In an effort to uncover the mysterious lives of these sea creatures, we bring you our podcast series on all things sea turtle. Join us as we dive into conversations with experts from around the world, simplifying complexities of sea turtle science, culture, and conservation.
About Olive Ridley Project :
The Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, registered in England & Wales, Maldives and Kenya, is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach.
Headquartered in the UK, we currently operate in Kenya, Maldives, Pakistan, Oman and Seychelles, where we are supported by a passionate and dedicated team of
scientists, veterinarians, conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers.
For more information, visit us at oliveridleyproject.org, or for queries write to us at info@oliveridleyproject.org.
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Each year, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught in fishing nets—a phenomenon known as bycatch, which poses a grave threat to these already vulnerable species.
“Even the death of one individual has implications for a population that’s already threatened. But in the case of fisheries, it's also not good for the reputation of the fisheries” says Dr Joanna Alfaro, a Peruvian marine biologist with 25 years of experience in marine conservation.
Dr Joanna is also the Director and co-founder of ProDelphinus, a non-profit organisation in Peru that works with fishing communities to protect sea turtles and marine fauna from bycatch.
Winner of Whitley Award, Dr Joanna, in this sixth episode of sea turtle stories, underscores the importance of working with fishing communities towards ensuring sustainable fisheries. “Of course, we have a special place in our hearts for turtles, but we also care for the people that are related to this marine environment. The ocean is not ours, it's everybody's” she emphasises.
So join our host Minnie and Dr Joanna, as they tackle the critical issue of sea turtle bycatch, its mitigation in small-scale fisheries in Peru and the vital role of community engagement in conservation efforts.
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
After a sea turtle hatchling scurries down the beach and plunges into the waves, it vanishes into the ocean, remaining incognito for the next few years.
This early period of a sea turtle's life history, often referred to as the 'lost years', has long intrigued scientists, leaving many questions about this mysterious stage.
Where do these hatchlings go? And when do they transition from being 'lost' to 'found'?
"The majority of flatback hatchlings are retained in the neritic environment, or what we call the shallow waters of the coast", explains Dr. Sean Williamson, a Field Biologist and Researcher at Monash University, Australia. "As opposed to loggerhead hatchlings on the East Coast of USA, which drift in the Gulf Stream all the way across to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean until they get around in line with France".
But how do these tiny travelers navigate such long journeys?
Tune in to the fifth episode of Sea Turtle Stories as Dr. Sean delves into the 'lost years' of sea turtles. He reveals insights from his research, covering everything from hatchling dispersal patterns and their extraordinary navigational skills to the innovative technologies used to uncover these mysteries.
Sea turtle hatcheries are a popular conservation strategy across the world, easily recognised as fenced enclosures on turtle nesting beaches.
These enclosures house turtle eggs, relocated from natural nests on the beach, to a more controlled environment that protects them from various threats. Ideally, a hatchery would produce more hatchlings than a natural nest.
However, relocating sea turtle eggs is more complex than it seems, with hatchery management being an intensive practice.
"When we move eggs, we risk jostling the embryos inside. There's a very narrow window to move eggs safely, ideally within two hours of being laid," explains Dr. Andrea Phillott, a Sea Turtle Biologist from Australia and Professor of Environmental Studies at Flame University, India.
And that’s just the beginning!
In this fourth episode of Sea Turtle Stories, Dr Andrea takes us through the careful considerations in building and running a hatchery, from creating the perfect artificial nest, paying attention to its depth, shape, temperature, and distance from other nests, to assessing even the sand quality.
While Dr. Andrea is widely published on various aspects of sea turtle conservation, her most recent research focuses on hatchery management practices in South Asia, making her the ideal expert for this discussion on hatcheries.
So join our Host, Dr. Minnie, and Guest Speaker, Dr. Andrea, as they delve into the intricacies of hatchery management and address critical issues, such as the efficacy of hatcheries, their role in a changing climate, protocol on hatchling releases, and more.
'Eggsploring' Hatching Failure - With Alessia Lavigne
Episode 3
Monday, July 15, 2024 • Duration 30:02
Looking at an egg and wondering when and if it ever hosted life is a curiosity most of us are familiar with. But what about sea turtle eggs?
With each sea turtle nest containing anywhere between 60-120 eggs, not all of them hatch into baby sea turtles - some instead exhibit hatching failure. But why do these eggs remain unhatched, and should we even care?
In our third episode, we welcome Alessia Lavigne, a passionate young researcher who believes that hatching failure in threatened sea turtle populations is a cause for concern that demands investigation. After all, eggs hatching successfully is key to ensuring population renewal.
So join Dr Minnie and Alessia, as they crack into the mystery surrounding sea turtle egg development, exploring the reasons behind hatching failure and their implications for sea turtle conservation.
We would love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions about the podcast. Email us at: seaturtlestories@oliveridleyproject.org
Navigating Nesting - With Dr Jeanne Mortimer
Episode 2
Sunday, June 30, 2024 • Duration 35:33
Did you know that sea turtles take about 20-30 years to reach sexual maturity and reproduce.
“The turtles that you're looking at on the beach this year may have hatched out of their eggs 35 years ago. So what happened 35 years ago is going to determine what kind of population you have now. And what you do now is going to determine what kind of population you have 35 years from now” says Dr Jeanne Mortimer.
In this second episode of Sea Turtle Stories, we delve into one of the most crucial life stages for sea turtles - nesting. And who better to help us navigate this intricate, fascinating and vulnerable period in a sea turtle’s life than Dr Jeanne Mortimer, a legend in sea turtle conservation, affectionately known as Madame Torti in Seychelles.
Dr Jeanne’s appreciation for female sea turtles shines through as she discusses the biology of nesting turtles, the curious case of Seychelles hawksbills that nest during daytime and the vulnerabilities these animals face when they come ashore.
She also shares effective strategies she has employed to protect these animals, highlighting the significance of community involvement and offering valuable lessons from her decades of dedication to sea turtle conservation.
The earliest ancestor of modern day sea turtles appeared about 120 million years ago. Interestingly, these species laid hard-shelled eggs, as opposed to the soft-shelled eggs that we see now. Then a big mass extinction event around 66 million years ago wiped out about 50 percent of plants and animals. But not these guys – sea turtles managed to survive!
When asked 'Why sea turtles?', Dr Martin Stelfox, founder and CEO of Olive Ridley Project declares that he finds sea turtles ‘absolutely fascinating’.
In this inaugural episode Martin sets the stage and introduces sea turtles, diving into their extraordinary evolutionary history, the complex roles they play in the marine ecosystem, the threats they face, and how these challenges have spurred the work of the Olive Ridley Project. Interestingly, Martin also discusses the scope for leveraging AI in sea turtle rehabilitative care – a compelling topic for those interested in employing technology for conservation.
But that’s not all, Martin then sheds light on the seldom-seen, often harrowing mating rituals of sea turtles, highlighting the resilience of these creatures.
The illuminating conversation takes a personal turn towards the end, as Martin shares his perspectives on the current shortcomings of sea turtle conservation practices and expresses his hopes for the future.
Links for additional reading:
How the turtle got its shell: A quick look into the evolutionary history of sea turtles, centred around their most recognisable feature - the shell!
Did you know that sea turtles have been around since the days of the dinosaurs? Sadly, they are now threatened with extinction.
Welcome to Sea Turtle Stories, a podcast where sea turtle experts from around the globe help us uncover the lives of sea turtles and the conservation practices associated with them - from the mysterious lost years of hatchlings, the overlooked ecology of male sea turtles to the workings of sea turtle hatcheries and sea turtle bycatch management in fisheries - we have got it all covered.
This eight episode podcast series is hosted by Dr Minnie Lidell and premieres on 16 June, 2024, with new episodes releasing twice every month.
So whether you are a seasoned conservationist, a curious listener, or simply passionate about sea turtles, this podcast promises something for everyone.
Subscribe or follow us to stay updated on new episode releases.
Happy listening!
We would love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions about the podcast. Email us at: seaturtlestories@oliveridleyproject.org
Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, is on a mission is to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can, Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Decoding Male Sea Turtle Mysteries - With Renato Bruno
Episode 7
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • Duration 33:02
Ever wondered why we know so little about male sea turtles? Or why most of our knowledge primarily comes from the female half of the species?
Male sea turtles are notoriously elusive, and unlike their female counterparts, male turtles rarely venture onto beaches. This makes studying them in the wild a real challenge.
So how much do we know about male sea turtles?
In Episode 7, we welcome Brazilian Conservation Biologist, Renato Bruno, to help us unravel the mysteries of male sea turtles. Drawing from nearly a decade of experience in sea turtle research, Renato shares incredible insights - from surprising instances of giant leatherbacks mistaking boats for mates to exploring the key differences in biology and behaviour between males and females.
Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that reveals the often-overlooked lives of male sea turtles, and expands our understanding of these incredible creatures.
The Caribbean presents a fascinating paradox in the sea turtle conservation story.
On one hand, Costa Rica hosts the world’s longest running and most iconic sea turtle conservation initiative. Meanwhile, just up the coast in the neighbouring Nicaragua, one of the world’s few legal sea turtle fisheries flourish.
So how does this contradiction play out for sea turtles of the Caribbean?
As we know by now sea turtles are global citizens, caring not for our political boundaries. The Caribbean green turtles are no different, for they nest in massive numbers in Costa Rica and forage in Nicaragua.
In Episode 8, Brazilian Sea Turtle Biologist, Renato Bruno, uses the story of the Caribbean green turtle to touch upon the messier realities of sea turtle conservation - the history of sea turtle take in the region which then spurred conservation action, to the nuanced present day dynamics of both illegal and legal harvest across the Caribbean, and even the intriguing interactions between two endangered species - jaguars and sea turtles.
So join us for a compelling conversation that examines the successes and challenges of sea turtle conservation in a region rich with culture, complexities and contradictions.
Rethinking Sea Turtle Conservation (Part 2) - With Dr Kartik Shanker
Episode 9
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 • Duration 31:17
"There is no such thing as a sea turtle expert!" Dr. Kartik chuckles, recalling veteran biologist Dr. Jack Frazier’s words. "Sea turtles will always find a way to do something that baffles you."
Although lighthearted, Dr Kartik's remark speaks to his instinctive curiosity and ever-evolving understanding of sea turtles.
A leading scientist and sea turtle conservationist from India, Dr Kartik Shanker is a strong advocate for decolonising sea turtle conservation and embracing more pluralistic ways of engaging with nature - a notion that he weaves throughout this candid conversation.
Part one of this bonus episode begins with Dr Kartik exploring the enduring mysteries of arribada (mass nesting events that continue to baffle researchers). But the discussion soon takes a deeper turn, examining how conservation practice often prioritises visible, emotionally charged threats while overlooking the more complex, intangible challenges facing sea turtles.
The conversation on conservation conundrums continues in part two of the episode, where Dr. Kartik confronts one of the most side-stepped topics in sea turtle conservation: the consumptive use of sea turtles. He critiques the dominant philosophy of protectionism, questioning its unintended consequences and urging the conservation community to reconsider its approach.
This episode goes beyond sea turtles, it tackles the larger idea of how we perceive our relationship with nature and the very practice of conservation itself. So tune in now for a conversation that challenges the status quo and raises some tough questions.
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To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
We would love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions about the podcast. Email us at: seaturtlestories@oliveridleyproject.org
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can, Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, is on a mission is to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can, Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
We would love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions about the podcast. Email us at: seaturtlestories@oliveridleyproject.org
Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, is on a mission is to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can, Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, is on a mission is to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach.
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can, Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project
The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell
The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar
The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can - Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Kartel Shockington: Kartel Shockington is a failed comic book creation with special powers of rapid hair loss. He sometimes appears as Kartik Shanker, and at other times as Dan Brockington
Shanker, K., Early Capistrán, M. M., Urteaga, J., Mohd Jani, J., Barrios-Garrido, H., & Wallace, B. P. (2023).
