By Alimamy Jalloh
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – A significant sighting was made in Bumpetoke Island, located near Chepu, Moot, Seh, Yilleh, Baki and Nyangai in the coastal region of Deima Chiefdom in Bonthe District, of a large Leatherback Sea Turtle by local monitors on the morning of Sunday, 10th November 2024.
David Caulker, a fisherman from the island, reported the bycatch to local authorities. He explained that while concluding his fishing trip and bringing his gear back to the boat, he inadvertently caught the turtle with his fishing chain. As he offloaded his equipment on Bumpeatoke Island, Caulker had the turtle entangled in the chain. He immediately contacted the Sea Turtle monitors on the island and informed Musa Lebbie who is the Senior Monitor working for the Reptile and Amphibian Program – Sierra Leone. Musa arrived at the scene around 10 a.m.
The sighting of the turtle was in accordance with local conservation laws. Both the Government of Sierra Leone and community leaders, including the paramount chiefs and town chiefs, have strict regulations protecting all threatened and endangered species including sea turtles in Sierra Leone.
Edward Aruna, the Sierra Leonean conservationist, praised the consistent efforts of his team in monitoring on the various islands for the protection of sea turtles and other endangered species. He explained that there are five different types of sea turtle species found in the region. The five types include green turtles, hawksbills, olive ridleys, loggerheads and leatherbacks.
“Leatherback turtles are the largest among them,” Aruna explained. “They are remarkable creatures with unique nesting habits.”
He described how sea turtles, like the Leatherback, nest by laying over 200 eggs in the sand on beaches. Before doing so, they listen intently for any signs of human presence, keeping both their left and right ears open to the sounds on the land as they approach the shore. This cautious behaviour helps them ensure a safe environment for their nesting process, which typically occurs about two to three feet deep in the sand.
On Sunday afternoon, Aruna’s team showed journalists the distinctive tracks left by turtles on the sandy shores of Yilleh Island, which they use as indicators of their movements.
Aruna also shared some fascinating insights into the behaviour of sea turtles. He explained that in the evenings or at night, the turtles are extra cautious when coming ashore to nest. If they detect no human presence, they will emerge from the sea to nest. However, if there is any sign of humans, they will return to the sea and delay nesting until a safer time.
Another interesting aspect of turtle behaviour is their interaction with environmental factors. According to Aruna, the temperature of the sand where turtles lay their eggs plays a crucial role in determining the gender of the offspring. If the eggs are exposed to hot sunlight, more female turtles are likely to hatch. In contrast, cooler temperatures favour the hatching of more males.
Once the turtles hatch, they make their way from the beach to the sea, facing the harsh realities of life in the ocean. Many young turtles are preyed upon by larger sea creatures, but not all of them fall victim, as they have evolved to use various navigation techniques to evade danger.
Aruna noted that the mother turtles return to their original nesting sites to lay eggs, never forgetting the location of their natal beach.
This discovery on Bumpeatoke Island highlights the importance of conservation efforts in Sierra Leone’s coastal regions, where the protection of sea turtles and their habitats continues to be a priority for both local communities and conservationists.
