Huge leatherback turtle came ashore at West Are’Are
A VERY big leatherback turtle was spotted at the shores of the WaiHau Conservation area at Waisurione beach, West Are’Are, Malaita Province, last Friday morning.
The massive turtle came ashore at around 3am on Friday according to reports reaching Solomon Star.
It was revealed, villagers from the area and those who love the ocean were excited about this rare sighting.
Leatherback turtle is special because of its large size and unique characteristics.
These leatherback turtles were protected via the WaiHau Conservation Foundation.
On Friday 12 January 2024 at 3am at Waisurione beach in Malaita Province, some locals got the opportunity to enjoy leatherback turtle watching when they came ashore, according to the Aelanlife Facebook page.
The leatherback turtles are endangered species protected and monitored by the Waihau Conservation Foundation in West ‘Are’Are. They are protected by law.
“Guests who want to come and see these leatherback turtles are welcomed to the Waihau conservation during holidays.
“It was an amazing experience to get very close to such beautiful creature,” Aelanlife said.
Vahid Namo, one of the locals supporting the conservation group, said they have been protecting and monitoring this species for almost 30 years now from human and animal poaching.
“No killing has been done since the protection of this leatherback turtles to date.
Another local Zahiydane Namo added, “these turtles are conserved at Waihau Conservation.
“We monitor them and there’s no harm done to them.”
There were a number of leatherback turtles that came ashore at the conservation site last week.
Some could not lay their eggs due to the presence of gravels.
Turtles normally come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand before leaving.
The Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc. is a Conservation initiative aimed at managing the natural resources of Aenaura tribal land in West Are’Are.
It was revealed that in other islands in the country and the greater Pacific region, such sighting implies the last days of the turtles.
“Few people capture them to be eaten. The turtles are mostly left upside down so that they cannot escape for traditional ceremonies.
“People label it a tradition that the turtles respond to their chief’s call to come ashore and then be eaten.
“Thanks to those who keep fighting for the conservation of turtles,” an overseas friend said after photos of the turtle was circulated online.
The news and photos of the rare sighting were also distributed by online news organisations abroad.
By MOFFAT MAMU
