Lamu Marine Conservation

Category: Quaterly Newsletter, Turtle Species, Uncategorized | Date: Jul 28 2009 | By: lamumarine

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust tagged an Olive Ridley on 17th March 09 accidentally caught by the fisherman. The turtle was very ill,could not even swim when we had to release her back to the sea.

The project had to take in the turtle for a treatment, and she was provided with all the project could do; feeding her with balance diet in every meal, proper medications and changing of water as required.

 Fortunately her condition improved in the first three days of two weeks under Lamu Marines’ care, but then it worsen and we had to fly her to Malindi for more advanced treatment.  Here is the report of our Olive Ridley from Malindi……

Rehabilitation report and  Autopsy Results for Lamu Marine Conservation Trust for the 26th of April, 09 to the 2nd of May, 09.
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)   
CCL – 53.2 Centimetres
CCW – 52.6 Centimetres
Tag number KE2619

General condition analysis

On admittance to the rehab centre the turtle was assessed looking at external body condition, in water turtle behaviour and responses was then assessed.

External appearance of the turtle and condition showed it to be Dehydrated and appeared sick.Once in water (50 centimetre depth) the turtle was suffering from floating syndrome. The carapace was soft particularly along the joint between the Lateral and the marginal scutes. After external analysis the turtle was taken for x-rays to determine if there was any internal damage or blockages

X-ray analysis
The x ray revealed numerous gas packages were lodged in the intestines which as attributing to its dehydrated and malnourished state.

Treatment and rehabilitation activities

Initial treatment consisted of;
• 60mls of re-hydration fluid
• de-gassing
• A series of 60mls of vegetable puree that had a combination of multi - vitamin, cod liver oil and calcium ( medication was administered 3 times daily)
• A dose of praziquantel, medicine that control blood flukes was served together with Metamide (medicine that stimulates the effect of intestine and de-gas (for expelling stranded gas in the intestines)

Response to treatment

1-2 days, swimming gentle on the surface using the rear flippers more to guide the body taking the targeted direction as she had 100% of one of the front flipper missing.

2-3 days, in the morning before feeding, she was resting still in a corner of the tank with half of the rear body seating on the base. She passed small slimy greenish defecate while feeding. She was buoyant and gently swimming when placed back in the tank.

3-4 days, she was exactly like day 2-3 only that in the evening whist relaxing on the surface the right side of the body was more submerged and appeared hanging at an angle.

4-5 days, in the same corner of the tank, she was resting at an angle with the right rear body more submerged in the morning. Passed small slimy defecate while taking her out of the tank for feeding. Again she was buoyant when placed back in the tank.

5-6 days, in the morning she was gently swimming on the surface and in circles. She was of similar behaviour in the afternoon and relaxing on the surface in the evening.

6-7 days, in the morning, the right rear body was resting on the floor of the tank and the head elevate onto the surface. More relaxed than usual even the time of feeding. In the evening, both rear flippers had come together tight and the right front flipper fold under the plastron / chest. Water in the tank was lowered to only the depth of covering the carapace and a towel placed under the head for easy breathing. She deceased in a little while after these efforts.

Results of rehabilitation

Despite the regular administration of medication and feeding which initially resulted in an improvement the patient died on Saturday 26th of April 2009. The belief is that the medication administered was too late to totally arrest the condition and whilst the turtle showed an initial improvement it was only in response to rehydration and feeding

Autopsy
Internal organs appeared normal. Rehab food was half way in the digestive system. Presences of few air packages plus very small amount of greenish liquefy food in the colon. The web tissues holding the veins and arteries that are connected to the intestines had lots of green colouring as opposed to brownish or creamy. This indicates presence of infection (Still gathering information what specific infection it is). 
Presence of infection in the tissues connecting the intestines. Food was perfectly half way flowing system.

NB//: Due to the duration of ailment the turtle had undergone, she had a short time to allow the medication take effect.
If you require any further information reading the turtle, its treatment or autopsy please contact

Kahindi Changawa
Phone - 0728 994299
Field Manager
Local Ocean Trust- Watamu Turtle Watch

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Category: Quaterly Newsletter | Date: Jan 10 2009 | By: lamumarine

Best Wishes for the New Year!!                                                  

We want to send our best wishes to all our friends in conservation from the western archipelago of Lamu District; Coast Province; Kenya.

We do send our acknowledgment to Tust Trust www.tusk.org our main sponsors in England to whom without there assistance we wouldn’t have done much.  

LAMCOT greatly appreciates all donations from both nest and tag adopters.

Lamu Marine Conservation project is indebted to Carol Korschen and her husband Lars (Management Peponi Hotel and Pioneers of the Project) for their support.

Many thanks go to the turtle team for their zeal and diligence in all matters pertaining to conservational activities.

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust is indebted by the work of KESCOM (Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee) for their incessant support on Data collection, update on conservational issues etc.

We also send our thanks to Merry Joe and Louis from Kizingo for their support with respect to all conservational activities in Shella Beach. LaMCoT would also like to direct its appreciation to the entire community for having accepted to join their hands which are indispensable paddles for the excellence of this project.
Hope you enjoy reading our news….!!!!

Turtle protection

 
The year 2008 was great in terms of number of baby turtles released.  Lamcot released 40,000 baby turtles. On the side of tagging it has tagged and released 200 adults and juvenile turtles. We had a few cases on mortality of both juvenile and baby turtles.  

The Education Project
The above project is still on at the four Schools in Lamu and by 2009 the project is expected to be more extended to the eastern archipelago once the Dhow project gets funded.
The syllabus covers all angles of environmental conservation and with bits of making the kids sophisticated.

Awareness and education activities will enhance the impact of conservation initiatives by enabling school children and the local communities have a greater understanding of environmental issues as well as provide a cleaner environment for all i.e. through beach clean ups.  TUSK TRUST education package has been very useful to this project. 

Bees and Conservation
The ten hives are already installed at the Kibuyuni area, but we had a problem as some of the hives were being vandalized.   We have moved them to a safer place near the community leaving there.

This place is where Ama environmental kindness club going to have its project on mangrove rehabilitation while the bee project for all schools (During time of excursions) after they finish the bee topic (Lecture).

Adviser from PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts) 15th-30th November

 
In September 2008 Carol Korschen,  the  Director of the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT), sent a request to PUM for assistance in the development of LaMCoT’s work in environmental protection, conservation of animals and plants, and wise use of water. The application mentioned the existence of a turtle protection scheme and programme for capacity building for Lamu fishermen. Fortunately, the request was accepted and we had an adviser; Mr.Fer Von der assen to our project from 15th-30th stayed at Peponi Hotel.
The PUM expert’s s Mission was to be able to assess the activities of LaMCoT and to help it with the possible recommendation.  Eventually on November 18th a work plan meeting was held and it was agreed to discuss all LaMCoT’s (sub) projects individually on the basis of a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), followed by a list of recommendations. This procedure was also followed for the discussions on funding, staff and organization. We are now following the annual recommendations based on Mr.Fer Von Der Assen; which is of very helpful in implementing our mission. Thank you very much Fer!

Community mobilization

We collaborating with Professor Shekuwe and other BMU’s of Lamu to save and protect the only snorkeling area in Lamu’ Manda Toto’. Nevertheless, people are exploiting it : aquarium fishing, illegal fishing methods by locals and foreigners, ornamental fishing etc. is really pushing this asset on the wall. We are now aiming to develop a holistic approach to conservation and management of the marine resources for the benefit of local community.

Babo Project
The above project which is meant for disseminating conservational information to the Eastern part of Lamu archipelago is still pending as we are waiting for an umbrella.  We are soliciting for a sponsor, Sarah, the project manager for Tusk in Africa has already sent a concept paper to them.  Also Carol Korschen is looking for sponsor at Peponi with some people she knows.  Al Miftah Dhow is ready for transportation. Lars from Peponi Hotel has paid for it while we are looking for the 10,000 Gb to pay it off.  The Dhow will not only be used for the  Medical/Educational trips on the north, but also for taking the kids in our environment clubs out on trips, snorkeling, Exchange visits, visiting projects on the ground, community mobilization ( a good example is when we mobilize the community when Pemba fishermen intruded to our fishing grounds with their destructive fishing methods).  
How you can get involved in Lamcot and its activities….
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has its own Bank account for members and well wishers to deposit funds.  To do this you will need the following information:

Swift Code:  KCBLKENX
Beneficiary: Lamu Marine Conservation Trust
Account Number:  205 670 971

Alternatively funds could be sent to Tusk Trust in England
Tusk Trust.
UK Reg 803118

” Tusk Turtles, Lamu”
And sent to:

Tust Trust
5 Townbridge House
High Street
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4AA

Tusk is our main sponsors.  www.tusk.org

WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS INFORM OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY .SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF LAMCOT
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY EMAILING US AT: dotatwa@yahoo.com or kasa@peponi-lamu.com

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Category: Quaterly Newsletter | Date: Nov 02 2008 | By: lamumarine

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust Newsletter
June –September 2008
A) Data for turtle protection and monitoring
i) Number of Adult and juvenile turtle tagged and released 2008

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has so far released/protected 124 tagged
 turtles in the last 8 months, accidentally caught by the fishermen in
Lamu District from January to July. The programme is continuing.

ii) Number of Babies turtles released/protected and monitored.
safely to the sea
We have had very fascinating and exhilarating moments on the day(s)
 of turtle nest hatchling for the entire community of Lamu and its tourists.
 Trips are organized to the nest sites. Whoever comes back gets touched with
 our noble work and without hesitation, cross their fingers with us. 
A total miracle of life!
After thorough protection and monitoring of the nests, the project released
50,548 successfully hatched baby turtles since the beggining of the project(1992).
 Summarily, Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has been very successful in the protection of turtle nests since the begginning of the project.  See the below graph.

B) Education programme
The project We run the programme at each school on a weekly basis. Pembe boat,
 donated by Tusk Trust in 2004 has been very useful to the project in reaching
 the three far schools and in patrolling. When the clubs finished their first
term, we had excursions to the related topics.

C) Bee project
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has started the bee project in Kibuyuni. There
 dozens of acres of mangrove have been exploited without a single tree being
replaced.  The project has provided 10 hives to the community of this area
where by the harvest will be shared between, the sponsors (LaMCoT) and other
 joining forces in conservation.

Kibuyuni is where Ama Environmental Kindness Club plans to have its project
on Mangrove rehabilitation, while the bee project is for all schools
(during of excursions)

 
(D) A turning point
In deed it is; the elders of Shella community have recently teamed up for a
better tomorrow for shella children, youth and the entire community.
 It was after Idd Mubarak 3 days ago that all elders, children and youths
 gathered   together to discuss matters relating to Shella Village; education,
culture. Social changes and the other main agenda was a play ground for the
children during ceremonial occasion.  A committee was chosen to mandate
different games of which some were already in line; the dhow race and tag of war.  

The meeting at bahari Hotel                                        

  Tag of war game

Other Achievements
i. Solar system
Through the efforts of Sarah Watson, the project was able to benefit with some
 funds from the Safaricom Marathon competition held at Lewa.  The funds were used
to pay for the installation of solar panels at the Patrolling sites of the turtle
 nests. This solar system will help in the efficiency of communication as there is
 no power in the area. Therefore, charging of mobile phones will be available
without any difficulties. At the same time the patrol team will benefit by getting
 some lights at their home stead. ( we have already paid Bruce and just waiting for
 the tides for it to be installed)
ii. Trees at the airstrip
Still with the financial assistance from Tusk, together with the collaboration from
 the pioneer Shella environmental club, 70 indigenous trees of which 50 survived is a great success to us and the donor.   This area is now looking beautiful to all
guests coming to lamu by Flights.    Indeed the work could be describes as from
nothing to something, in this programme, the project consumed a lot of its time and
 money but fortunately we won the battle.  Many people tried to plant in this venue
 but all efforts in vain as this area is very dry and salty during high tides.

 
                             
Acacia and coconut trees at the lamu airstrip  

our sign board at the airstrip

iii. Information abroad
The year 2008 has been a very successful year when it comes to information dissemination
 through story telling by journalists and film crews across the world.
We have been visited by both national and international broad casters and journalists. 
We believe in this way we will definitely win. 
KTN the second leading channel in Kenya, visited us in April, the Italian film crew
in Feb, the French film crew in January, Spanish Journalist for (El Mundo, Spain’s
second largest newspaper)  by the name Pablo Pardo, Lee Middleton from Tanzania April,
 Ingrid Mueller Journalist from German and Swara Magazine by East African Wildlife Society.

Project constraints

Remember that we heavily rely on Subscription from both Locals and foreigners, Tusk Trust
 from UK help us a lot in catering the social overheads (www.tusk.org ).  Therefore,
donation could be made through wildlife direct as per the column donation,  at our
account here in Kenya i.e. Swift Code:  KCBLKENXXX Beneficiary: Lamu Marine
Conservation Trust
Account Number:  205 670 971
Alternatively funds could be sent to Tusk Trust in England
Tusk Trust Charity Aid Foundation
UK Reg 803118

” Tusk Turtles, Lamu”
And sent to:

Tust Trust
5 Townbridge House
High Street
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4AA

Tusk is our main sponsors.  www.tusk.org

WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS INFORM OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY..SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING AN ACTIVE
MEMBER OF LAMCOT
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY EMAILING US AT: dotatwa@yahoo.com or
 lamutrust@gmail.com
 

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Category: Quaterly Newsletter | Date: Jul 15 2008 | By: lamumarine

 Our sincere appreciation and acknowledgement goes to all our friends in conservation. We send our acknowledgement toTusk Trust our main sponsor in England, to whom without their financial assistant we wouldn’t have achieved for what we have.

Furthermore, many thanks go to the pioneers of the project (Carol Korschen and her husband Lars) and the subordinate staff for their dedication. We thank all nest adopters and turtle adopters.
The progress of our project:
 Nest and Tagging
From the beginning of this season we have recorded 20 nests from Manda Island and of which 14 have hatched. 

                                          Tag sponsors

                                                    Mr. Salim

               A green Turtle caught by a fisherman by a fishing line

 The Education Project
Our school education programme continues within four schools of Lamu archipelago (Shella, Ama, Matondoni and Kipungani primary schools). A well new developed syllabus, which covers all angles of environmental conservation, is being implemented by education officer- Famau Shukury. The children are very excited and motivated with the syllabus.  As a matter of fact, Lamcot clubs are the only active clubs in the Lamu District.

Ama primary school

 Bees and conservation.
The bee project is now based at Kibuyuni zone, where dozens of acres of mangroves have been exploited without a single tree being replaced. Lamcot has distributed 10 hives to the community of this area and the harvest will be shared between us. We are looking forward to distribute more hives to the crab fishermen. This is where Ama environmental kindness club will have its project on mangrove rehabilitation, and Matondoni club will have the bee project.
 Blog address
The project has recently started a website with Wildlife Direct which is:   http://lamumarine.wildlifedirect.org.  Here, issues pertaining to marine life in Lamu and its adjacent waters are highlighted and debated all over the world.

Yet to be accomplished……….
 Acquisition of our main turtle nesting zone
We are looking forward to owning at least 5 acres of the nesting sites, so that we can be able to carry out translocation of our nests. On this area, we will have eco-lodge bandas for volunteers to carry out research.   The price is 16000 Sterling Pounds per acre.

 Dhow Project
The purpose of the above project is to distribute conservational information to the Eastern part of Lamu archipelago. This is still pending as we are waiting for sponsorship in reaching the eastern region.  Al Miftah Dhow is ready for transportation. Lars from Peponi Hotel has paid for it while we are looking for the 10,000 Gb to cover its total cost.  The Dhow will not only be used for the  Medical/Educational trips on the Northern part of the Archipelago, but also for taking the kids in our environment clubs out on trips such as: snorkeling, exchange visits, visiting projects on the ground and community mobilization as we are doing it now. This can be illustrated by the coming together of the community, when Pemba fishermen intruded to our fishing grounds with destructive fishing methods.

 Solar panels
We are soon going to install a solar system at Manda for the patrol team, so that they can charge their phones. This is possible through the efforts of Sarah Watson during Lewa Safaricom marathon competition.  We would like to thank Safaricom Company and Sarah for their participation.
How you can get involved in Lamcot and its activities….
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has its own Bank account for members and well wishers to deposit funds.
to do this you
will need the following information:
Swift Code: KCBLKENXXX Beneficiary: Lamu Marine Conservation Trust
Account Number: 205 670 971
Alternatively funds could be sent to Tusk Trust in England
Tusk Trust Charity Aid Foundation
UK Reg 803118
” Tusk Turtles, Lamu”
And sent to:
Tust Trust, 5 Townbridge House
High Street, Gillingham`
Dorset, SP8 4AA
Tusk is our main sponsors. www.tusk.org

WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS IN FORM OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF LAMCOT
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY EMAILING US AT: dotatwa@yahoo.com or kasa@peponi-lamu.com

One response so far