Cousin Island is a granitic island covering 27 hectares. It became the world’s first internationally owned-reserve in 1968 and it was afforded further protection when it was designated a Special Reserve in 1974. The reserve is managed by Nature Seychelles, a local conservation organization that employs local staff and brings benefits local communities through eco-tourism. Conservation activities include monitoring of the island’s biodiversity, research, re-introduction of endangered species such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin, ecotourism and education I am the Science coordinator for Nature Seychelles and together with Eric Blais who is our new Conservation Officer on Cousin Island Special Reserve I undertake the supervision of all the monitoring and research we undertake. Eric and I decided to do this to tell you about the spectacular biodiversity here, and what we are doing to protect it. There’s lots happening. The turtle nesting season has just started and this is special - today three of the seven existing species of marine turtles are critically endangered, three are endangered and the status of the seventh remains unknown. Cousin Island Special Reserve is the largest nesting site for the endangered Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, in the Western Indian Ocean. We will tell you all about the breeding activities as well as topics of a wider context touching on other activities - when the turtles are not nesting on Cousin. The island is really special. It supports populations of endangered land birds and large colonies of breeding seabirds, while the surrounding Marine Protected Area holds over 250 species of fish. I hope this blog encourages you to participate in conservation here on Cousin Island.
8 Comments posted on "Come to the Beach!"
jordan smith on November 1st, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Stop killing Earth’s turtles,they can’t hurt any body. They can only defend their selves with their shells. I am only 10 years old and I care about all of the animals on Earth.Why can’t everybody love animals
jordan smith on November 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Im back and if you dont like Turtle’s well im sorry for you but i will donate
cousinisland on November 7th, 2007 at 1:40 am
Hi Jordan, On Cousin Island we love turtles. The wardens, who live on the island are very busy at the moment checking on all the nesting hawksbill turtles that visit us every year to lay their eggs. At the moment we are up to nest number 160 for the season and things are very busy. Keep an eye on the blog for more news of Cousin and the nesting turtles.
jordan smith on November 7th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Keep working on the nesting i hope you reach 1000 nest keep up the good work
jordan smith on November 7th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I am Jordan’s grandmother and he has been so interested in animals and their plight for survival.You have been an inspiration to all of us,but especially to Jordan.He shows a desire to one day follow in footsteps of people like yourself that help endangered animals.Thank you for responding to his comments.Please know that we are also thankful to you for your important work.We will post our contribution tomorrow to support you.He wanted it to be his own money he earned.Thank You and Be Safe.Good Bye
Jordan smith on November 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
How is it on cousin island and how many new nest have you recieved oh and I hope you guys or girls are reciving the results you want.
cousinisland on December 3rd, 2007 at 3:55 am
HI Jordan, Sorry I did not respond to your comment earlier but things have been very busy here in Seychelles. Also ontop of that I was recently away in South Africa at a conference on the Indian Ocean and presented a talk on the turtles on Cousin. At the moment we are up to over 300 nests for the season so things are looking very good.
Jordan smith on December 11th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
im sorry I forgot to write to you good progress though I hope you reach your goal Post a comment
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