For the past 2 years we have been observing many Turtles coming up on the beach in Ferrol, some measuring four feet in length, they come up late in the evening and make there nests for the eggs they have been laying. We have had four separate occasions in the last 8 months to be able to put the eggs into a safe fenced area for there protection during hatching.
We have had a success of over 200 Turtles hatch so far in our supervision, giving the Turtles a 40% better chance of survival, we keep the Turtles in our shallow beach water, all together in our net wich has bamboo floats either side for buoyancy.
68 three week old Turtles from our first nest
The Turtles are fed three times a day with sea-weed and slithers of fresh fish.
Steve Rice meets the baby Turtles on Ferrol Beach.
Chris Bech, The Caretaker, Steve Rice, Locals and local Government DENR are assisting the young turtles to make sure they have a better survival rate, if the turtles survive they will come back in 30 years and lay there eggs. Most of the Turtles head down towards Australian waters during there growing years because of the climate and good feeding grounds for them.
At this size, turtles make good food for larger fish and ocean predators
Preparing another Turtle raft
At four months old, the Turtles are ready to go back in the wild
Department of Agriculture Secretary Procy Alcala is also a fond carer for Turtles
WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE DA SECRETARY PROCY ALCALA VISITING TABLAS FOR TWO DAYS. INVITED AND HOSTED BY OUR ALWAYS PRESENT AND CARING GOVERNOR LOLONG FIRMALO WITH FAMILY.
MY STAFF, AND MYSELF CHRIS BECH, HAVE HAD THIS PROJECT GOING ON FOR APPROX 2 YEARS NOW.
WE HAVE PROTECTED MORE THAN 10 TURTLE NESTS WITH CLOSE TO 1,000 EGGS AND LATER ON, TURTLE BABIES.
LAST YEAR DID WE, DUE TO A KIND OF STRANGE RESISTANCE FROM THE LOCALLY ELECTED….. GET A DENR APPROVAL AND HAVE BEEN FEEDING 4 BATCHES OR GROUPS FOR 4 MONTHS EACH
SO THEY HAVE 10 DOUBLED IN SIZE AND STRENGTH BEFORE RELEASE AND THEREBY HAVE INCREASED THEIR CHANCE OF SURVIVAL WITH AT LEAST 20 TIMES THE NORMAL.
Governor Lolong Firmalo is proud of his province and its natural habitat
WE HAVE OBSERVED SOME OF THE MAMA’S – NIGHTTIME – WHEN THEY DO COME ON SHORE TO DIG THEIR HOLE AND LAY THEIR EGGS – AND THEY ARE HUGE AND AMAZING CREATURES – MORE THAN 1 METER OR APPROX 4 FEET OVER THE BACK/SHELL.
TURTLES DO ALWAYS RETURN TO THE PLACE THEY WERE BORN – TO LAY EGGS – SO APPROX 25 – 30 YEARS FROM NOW WILL OUR BABIES RETURN!
The Press
We will continue our project and hope to make this a fish and Marine Turtle sanctuary that tourists will be aloud to come and view the sanctuary, as well as locals and school children can be educated on the importance of the Turtles on our beach, and why they return here after so many years….. If you would like further information please feel free to contact us.