lorraine

After the dismal start to the Turtle season on Calis beach there is some good news.

The begining of the season saw the drastic drop in numbers to the visiting Caretta Caretta Turtle, this is due mainly to the beach and prom area becoming more popular, further hindered by the ever increasing light pollution to the beach front areas, the Turtle is re-known for its solitary peaceful existence, the conservation groups are headed up by Ali Esmre also known as Turtle Ali, what this man does not know is not worth talking about, he also has a ramshackle bar on the beach front, very laid back more like a desert island shack, why not pay him a visit, his english is very good.

The students currently looking after the nests on Calis Beach enjoyed the fruits of their labour when nest number 4, which produced 51 eggs saw 45 of the hatchlings make it to sea.

There are 11 nesting sites in Calis and the students are working round the clock protecting them. The work of the students is due to finish mid September. Lets hope that next year will see more Caretta Caretta returning to the beaches of Calis.

merlin

Seems like an ideal winter project for Calis/Fethiye ex-pats?

Merv

immac

Lorraine, your report has good and bad news - but I think it is mainly bad news for Turtles.

The polution at Calis is not going to get better and, as the developments squeeze out the wildlife, I fear it will soon be impossible for Caretta Caretta to keep their place.

It is commendable that so much effort is being expended by volunteers.

I think the Turtles habitat will go the way of the marshland of Calis and be driven out by Discos and Egg & Chips as the habitat degenerates.

Ian

teresa

Is there anything that needs doing during the winter months, because I agree it does sound like a good project to get involved in and I am looking for something worthwhile.

I don't go to discos or eat egg and chips so I could be a good recruit as I have a lot in common with the turtle.

Teresa

lorraine

Teresa, when you visit Calis next it could be worth your while seeking out Ali, he has information and contacts for the Calis consevationalist. try his little bar I think it is next to the Mendos, he also resides in a little house surrounded by reeds in the bird sanctuary, I have his telephone number somewhere I will pm you when I have located it.
Ali has many winter projects, so I am sure he could help you out. He has worked across many countries in the name of consevation and is attached to many universities in various countries.

teresa

I would be very interested Lorraine - I actually do adore turtles and tortoises and always have done. One of my biggest thrills is seeing the tortoises wandering around - I even saw one walking up the pavement near Migros. Also once had my husband crawling through bushes at Caunos to find out what the strange knocking noise was and I think it was a couple of tortoises "having fun" and their shells were knocking together. Husband was convinced a wild goat was going to rush out at any moment and was quite relieved.

I will have to look out for Ali as I have read about him but I do not know where he is exactly. I have only ever seen one Turtle in all my trips to turkey and that was near Dalyan and a brief glimpse. We have found a couple of dried up babies in the sand, they are very sad little things to see and probably ran towards some sort of light and away from the sea.

Teresa

Maz

Does Ali still have his bar? When we walked past last week it was all smartened up and under a new name and no sign of his tee pee!
He is our neigbour as we have an apartment by the reeds in the end block and he walks by each evening with his menagerie! He has puppies, chickens and all sorts of furry/feathered creatures that follow him around!

lorraine

his brother or brother in law was going to be doing something this year, so might be his doing, so i will have to go and see him, i have a book to return.

lorraine

New signs are now being erected along the promanade of Calis Beach, Let us hope that more people adhere to the request.