Moreover, until we get proof that headstarted turtles eventually 

 return to the nesting beach and reproduce, headstarting will 

 remain an unproven management measure. 



More research is needed to test the effectiveness of head- 

 starting. Preferably such research should be conducted using 

 animals from the larger, more stable nesting populations. 



Summary and Conclusions 



Anyone working at a turtle nesting beach should watch for 

 clues that may help to answer the sort of questions discussed 

 here. Some problems may never be solved, and others can only be 

 tackled through well-funded research. In general, the more 

 manipulative, experimental research, including the headstarting 

 of hatchling turtles, should not be carried out using animals 

 from small, vulnerable turtle populations. 



If one is to manage properly a nesting beach,' the first step 

 should be to mount a small scale study of local conditions. The 

 beach and its surroundings should be examined carefully and any 

 factors that pose a threat to the turtles should be identified. 

 Problems caused by artificial lighting, sand mining, or traffic 

 on and near the beach can usually be detected quickly. If 

 poaching of eggs is a serious problem, ideally, steps should be 

 taken to change the behavior of the offenders; but failing that. 

 Removal of egg clutches to a safe place may be necessary. 



If you do not detect problems that call for the emergency 

 translocation of eggs, and if you have adequate logistical 

 support, you should determine the natural rates of hatching and 

 emergence success of egg clutches at your beach. The following 

 procedure is recommended. 



The study should be conducted using egg clutches that have 

 not been manipulated in any way. To determine the number of eggs 

 in each nest, count the eggs as they fall from the turtle. You 

 can do this by placing your hand inside the nest, just after the 

 turtle finishes digging her egg chamber, and before she starts to 

 lay eggs. Hold your hand, palm up, several inches below her 

 cloaca, and taking care not to touch her tail, count the eggs as 

 they drop onto your hand. Let the eggs fall immediately from 

 your hand into the nest. Allow the turtle to bury the eggs 

 herself. Mark the location of the nest. Check the nest site 

 periodically — daily if possible — to see if erosion, wave-wash, or 

 predation has affected or damaged the nest since your previous 

 visit. Record the dates of all your observations. After 

 hatching occurs (about two months later) , dig up the nest and 

 examine its contents. Count the number of empty shells from eggs 

 that hatched normally, the number of unhatched eggs, the number 

 of hatchlings that died while pipping, and the number of dead 

 hatchlings in the nest. Open intact eggs and measure and record 



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