Well the past couple days have finally been eventful! The workers at Kike's finally found a descent iguana for the iguana project and took it upon themselves to catch it, and catch it they did. Kevin got on the roof with a makeshift noose, the iguana jumped off the tree, ran by the pool, and then the chase was on. With 7-8 people chasing this iguana, we managed to chase it onto the tiled porch where it just slid around and was an easy catch. The next day (yesterday) they found a juvenile iguana for the team which was easily caught, weighed, measured, marked, and safely released back into the jungle that is Kike's place.
Now on to our project. So after a week and a half of missing a turtle or more a night because we patrolled at the wrong time, or the wrong section of beach, we finally got 3 turtles last night! Rachael and I were so jealous when Tera and iguana assistant Kevin came in saying they got a turtle, but quite relieved when Tera informed me she also got my samples from it! The first turtle I spotted was towards the end of nesting, I wanted to sample it anyway, but was unable to. However, the second turtle was golden! We saw her emerge from the water, so there was plenty of time to get ready (after running back to the house and getting more of my sample vials). Lots of coincidences occurred to reach that turtle at the perfect time, but it happened. Everything was going gloriously until the last second when the flipper tag bent and it was our last one! So needless to say, it may fall out, so I desperately made an attempt to find distinguishing markings so I can use the data. But honestly, I may use the data anyway and chalk it up to flipper tag issues. It's doubtful that I will get to sample that turtle again and it is such a beautiful sample!
That's it for now, maybe I can post some pictures here in a bit; like the one Rachael (another iguana assistant) took of the boa constrictor downing a hawk. Chao!
No comments:
Post a Comment