The Príncipe island is one of the most important nesting places for the sea turtle hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Eastern Atlantic. It is also where the breeding green turtles (Chelonia mydas) exhibit higher diversity.
These turtles can migrate thousands of kilometers to lay several clutches of more than 100 eggs on the 136km2 island from the Archipelago of São Tomé and Príncipe, located 220 km west of the African continent.
During the nesting season of 20019-2010 1088 green turtle and 101 hawksbill clutches were reported by Ferreira et al. corresponding up to 249 and 30 females, respectively.
A visit to this safe archipelago in the heart of Africa (in the latitude of Congo) can be an unforgettable experience. Perhaps an Atlantic equivalent to Costa Rica where several ongoing turtle watching programs support conservation projects.
Check the full paper at ww.arquipelago.info the latest edition of @Arquipelago – Life Marine and Sciences.
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