Relocations of sea turtle nests of Lepidochelys olivacea, Dermochelys coriacea and Chelonia mydas in the Galibi Nature Reserve, Suriname

SCHOUTEN, A.D., WEIJERMAN, M., VAN TIENEN, L.H.G. & W.E.J. HOEKERT, 1997. Relocations of Sea Turtle nests of Lepidochelys olivacea, Dermochelys coriace and Chelonia mydas in the Galibi Nature Reserve, Suriname. Studies Nat. Hist. Caribbean Region 73, Amsterdam, 1997: 63-69. Relocation of nests of the marine turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (ESCHSCHOLTZ 1829), Dermochelys coriace (LINNAEUS 1758) and CHELONIA MYDAS (LINNAEUS 1758) in the Galibi Nature Reserve is performed to protect them from a number of hazards. The hatching percentage per nest is not significantly decreased by relocation, but the number of nests from which hatchlings emerge is greatly enhanced. In this situation relocation can be an effective conservation measure.