Here is an opportunity for YOU to experience the thrill of helping a threatened species!
The Caretta Research Project is a hands-on research, conservation and education program that has been protecting the nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge since 1973.
The three goals of the project are:
- To learn more about the reproductive biology, population trends and nesting habits of loggerhead turtles;
- To enhance survival of eggs and hatchlings on a nesting beach; and
- To educate and involve the public in turtle preservation.
Each year, for 16 weeks during the summer, groups of volunteers travel to the beaches of Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge near Savannah, Georgia to help monitor egg-laying and hatching activity and to collect data on the loggerhead turtles.
Accomplishments since 1973:
- added over 1,283 turtles to the tagged loggerhead population;
- monitored 3,108 nests containing more than 367,000 eggs;
- successfully released over 223,400 hatchlings into the ocean;
- trained 20 interns who have gone to other environmental / educational programs; and
- involved and educated over 3,000 volunteers from all over the world in sea turtle conservation efforts.
