Ecological conditions favourable for Sea Turtles
Fast Facts
In coastal Odisha, the area of confluence of any river and the sea, which is the deltaic region, is a fascinating ecosystem. Also called intertidal area, this is criss-crossed by estuary, rivers, creeks and creeklets. The land in these estuaries is continually inundated by the saline sea water under influence of sea tide and also sweet water of river. Such lands are covered with mangroves, a kind of vegetation endemic to these areas. The mangroves and the estuaries are the breeding and spawning grounds of varieties of marine life forms such as fishes, prawns, crabs and mollusks. These life forms spend their juvenile stage in the mangrove estuarine ecosystem, and migrate to the sea in the later part of their lives. October to May is the period during which these juveniles are available in abundance in the estuaries and the coastal sea. This is the time for the sea turtles to congregate in these areas, having migrated over large distances in the sea to feed on these fishes etc. in the shallow sea near the intertidal regions. During the months of October to May therefore, shallow sea near the river mouth becomes the feeding ground of the sea turtles, both for the adults and their juveniles. The sea turtles congregate and mate there and then look for suitable undisturbed beaches in these river mouth areas for laying eggs and nesting.
Based on these ecological conditions, certain pockets in the Odisha coast have become the famous mass nesting sites of the Olive Ridley sea turtles. Significant populations of these turtles visit the congregation areas en-masse before the winter months for breeding and nesting. This is a yearly phenomenon. This population represents about 50% of the total world population of Olive Ridleys, and about 90% of the Indian population of sea turtles. Worldwide attention is naturally focused on these rookeries for conservation of this species.
Join a fully dedicated team on a small island off the tropical island of Bali to help care for injured turtles until they are ready to be released into the sea again!
Program Highlights:
- Work closely with sea turtles
- Enjoy the turquoise beaches while living on the tropical island of Nusa Penida
- Contribute to a vulnerable species with important volunteer tasks
- Release rehabilitated turtles back into the sea
- Ethical wildlife volunteer tasks and interactions
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to Nusa Penida Island. Following lunch, volunteers will receive an introduction to the area.
Day 2, Monday: Following breakfast, volunteers will receive an introduction to the program and begin to volunteer at the turtle sanctuary. Volunteers will watch a documentary on sea turtles in the evening.
Day 3, Tuesday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary.
Day 4, Wednesday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary in the morning. The evening will bring beach sports.
Day 5, Thursday: Following volunteer work, volunteers will enjoy a farewell dinner and bonfire at the beach. On either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, volunteers will visit the beautiful Crystal Bay on a relaxing excursion.
Day 6, Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at the turtle sanctuary. On every volunteer’s last Friday, they will have the opportunity to release rehabilitated turtles back into the sea.
Weeks 2-12: Volunteers will have weekends free and will work at their volunteer program Monday-Friday. (Check out “Travel Highlights” below for suggestions!) Departure is on a Saturday.
What’s Included
- Accommodations: Shared room in a hostel
- Food: Three meals a day during the week, two meals on weekends
- Airport Transfers: Included on arrival day and from orientation location to project site
- Orientation: Volunteers will receive an orientation of the area upon arrival and will receive a program orientation on their first day of volunteering.
- Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
Location
This project is based Orrisa. It is a quiet and relaxed place where divers and bird lovers alike can enjoy a day on secluded,white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts. The surrounding limestone caves and high coastal cliffs make for scenic views in every direction. Hindu temples and cultural sites pepper the landscape and offer exciting views into the local history.
Volunteer Work
Daily Tasks
Daily tasks will include cleaning the tanks, scurbbing turtles, preparing food and feeding the turtles, collecting crabs, cleaning the beach and village area, making conservation awareness signs, making turtle toys and monitoring the progress of the turtles currently in the center.
Nesting season (May-October)
In addition to the regular tasks, volunteers will collect turtle eggs brought to the center from fishermen who have rescued them from being eaten or taken as pets illegally.
Hatching Season (45-75 days after nesting)
In addition to the regular tasks, volunteers will feed and treat the hatchlings until they are strong (8-12 months). Strong enough turtles will be released every Friday.
A typical day: After a light breakfast you will head out to work on a specific project at the sanctuary. After a few hours you will have lunch and a bit of time to rest. The afternoon is will be spent in the community. By 5pm, you are back at the project to check on the turtles before dinner.
Please Note:
- You must be back at your accommodations before 10:30pm Monday to Friday.
- Volunteer activities and schedules can change at any time based on the needs of the project.
Holidays: While the project remains open throughout the year, activities and volunteer schedules may vary on the holidays. The educational awareness classes, where volunteers conduct outreach to local schools, does not take place during school holidays. For specific dates, please consult with our placement coordinators.
Living Arrangements
Requirements
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
- Good level of English
- Police clearance
- Genuine interest in turtles and conservation education
- Good level of physical fitness
- Flexible and open-minded
Travel Hightlights
There is plenty to do on Nusa Penida, but there are also some great places to visit outside the island. Just 45 minutes on a speed boat will get you to the mainland of Bali, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and historical and archeological sites. You can also spend your time surfing, diving or exploring the lush rice terraces and volcanic hillsides. Bali has something to offer every visitor. Divers can also visit Sanur, an east coast town, where you can find yourself dining in amazing restaurants and biking through the lovely scenery.
Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
This week-long introduction is a perfect opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and surround yourself with the local Bali community! Before you begin your volunteer project on Nusa Penida, you will enjoy an exciting orientation in Penestanan Kaja village (just 5 minutes from Ubud center) that will provide an introduction of Bali culture, such as a walking tour of the local markets, attending a Balinese traditional dance show, taking Balinese language classes, participating in painting and flower classes, and visiting famous temples. The orientation runs from Monday through Friday, giving you the weekend to relax or explore the area on your own before you start work at your project.
Program Add-Ons:
Consider joining one or more of these special programs to add another dimension to your experience in Bali:
- Yoga and Mind Week: Learn about yoga and meditation practices to improve your health and well-being.
- Bali Adventure: Enjoy an adventure-filled week of trekking up volcanoes, cycling through town and enjoying a relaxing massage at the end of the week.
Please note that there is an additional fee for these programs. Prices available upon request.