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GIANT
Leather Back Turtles
 One
of the most moving experiences the natural world has to offer is the sight
of the giant female leatherback turtle engaging in her timeless ritual
of egg-laying. Trinidad is fortunate enough to be among these creatures
laying sites. Each year between March and August, these mysterious leviathans
of the deep return to the beach where they were born to begin the cycle
anew. These turtles, the largest of the marine species, weigh from 700
- 1000 lbs and are 5-8 ft in length and 2 - 3 ft in width. The female
digs a deep hole with her back flippers and lays about 80 - 125 soft glutinous
eggs into it. Throughout the process she is completely vulnerable to attacks
of poachers, dogs, possums etc. which were quite common. The entire laying
process takes about 2 hrs. 'Members Only' Maxi Taxi Service is
offering a choice of two trips. You can either do a return trip or an
overnight trip.
 For
the return trip we take you out to Matura Beach which is located on the
eastern side of the island. Matura Beach is a patrolled beach by Nature
Seekers Inc. Jesse is also a member of this group. They patrol the beach
during the nesting season. They also tag and implant a tracking device
on the turtles in order to study and keep count of the amount of turtles,
which return here each year. The attacks by poachers on this beach have
become non-existent due to the dedication of this group to protecting
our leatherback turtles. A government permit is required to go on this
beach which we will obtain for you. We will leave Chaguaramas around
5:00pm, it's about a 2 - 2 ½ hour drive to Matura, on the way we will
make a stop for a local dinner. We will be taken onto the beach by a guide
from Nature Seekers Inc. and we will get to view the entire process as
well as take photos when the guide allows us to.
 For
the overnight trip we will take you to Grand Rivere which is also on the
eastern side of the island, this beach is ideal for an overnight trip.
It is about a 4 hour drive from Chaguaramas and we will take you to a
hotel located on the beach where you will spend the evening and be taken
out by the guides to view the laying process. You can take pictures of
the turtles at early dawn as Grand Rivere is a small beach and with so
many turtles laying close to each other the flash from the cameras during
the night is disturbing to the turtles coming onto the beach to nest.
We return to Chaguaramas the following day.
Don't miss out on this incredible sight!
Please
visit us at our office or contact
us for more information.
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