Written by: frank zindel
13.08.2009

I lie in the middle of the night on the beach in a white, warm sand, somewhere on this fascinating island of Boavista, with its incredible scenery, which is different than anything I've previously seen. I look towards the sea where the waves roar incessantly, consider the lush sky and I'm satisfied. Next to me is a nesting loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, the reason why I'm here. It is big, beautiful, and now it is laying perfectly round, bright white eggs in which it has previously prepared a hole in which to drop them. Never had I thought of how these clever animals use their back flippers - like hands. Now she squeezes out the eggs, using every effort with her fins, and they somehow seem human-like. Although I have now often witnessed this, I am always fascinated anew. I am grateful for this unique encounter, I'm grateful for that night, grateful to be here and to protect these endangered animals help ...
My thoughts are accompanied by a loud snort interrupted. The turtle has started the hole with their hind flippers again. She covers her precious eggs thoroughly with sand, then pats down the sand firmly, then - the perfect camouflage to make - with the front flippers she throws loose sand over the nest. The thought makes me smile. I look at the clock and know that at the end of this day I probably will again be overtired, it will be hot and that it may again "Cachupa", a local cook will feed us, but that we will perhaps take a swim in the sea, that there is so much to build, tinker, or design -there is much to do - or I might just sleep and be lazy on the beach for the next night.
Some may think that it is stupid, during his vacation to work - and it's voluntary. But I truly belong to the people who like to spend their time usefully, to get involved for the welfare and interest of the planet and another species, and know that in this way I also gather invaluable experience: When working with animals, close to the locals and their culture, with the nice people you know, and all the other things you will learn, for example, how to drive a jeep through the desert.
While I think these thoughts, powerful surges of sand fly through the air next to me from the turtle’s flippers. I look over to the turtle. She lifts her head, looks at me and sighs aloud. As her heavy body finally moves slowly towards the water, I cautiously stand up and brush the sand from my clothes. I look after the turtle as she slowly disappears in the water. For this time she is rescued. - A wonderful feeling.

Astrid Mittelstaedt, Summer 2009 

Print

Location: Blogs Turtle Foundation Blog Blog Cape Verde