Latest news with #shells
Observer
4 hours ago
- Health
- Observer
Kenya NGO saves turtles from nets, plastic and rising tides
A small charity on the Kenyan coast has become vital to the region's majestic turtle population, saving thousands from poachers, fishermen's nets and ever-worsening plastic pollution. On the beach of the seaside town of Watamu, it takes four men to heave the huge Loggerhead sea turtle into the back of a car. She has just been saved from a fishing tackle and will be taken to a nearby clinic to be checked for injuries, then weighed, tagged and released back into the sea. A Kenyan NGO, Local Ocean Conservation (LOC), has been doing this work for almost three decades and has carried out some 24,000 rescues. "Every time I release a turtle, it's a really great joy for me. My motivation gets stronger and stronger," said Fikiri Kiponda, 47, who has been part of LOC's 20-odd staff for 16 years. LOC began life in 1997 as a group of volunteers who hated seeing the creatures being eaten or dying in nets. Turtles are still poached for their shells, meat and oil. But through the charity's awareness campaigns in schools and villages, "perceptions have significantly changed", said Kiponda. LOC, which relies mostly on donations, compensates fishermen for bringing them injured turtles. More than 1,000 fishermen participate in the scheme and mostly do so for the sake of conservation, the charity emphasises, since the reward does not offset the hours of lost labour. Floating turtles At the NGO's nearby clinic, health coordinator Lameck Maitha, 34, says turtles are often treated for broken bones and tumours caused by a disease called Fibropapillomatosis. One current in-patient is Safari, a young Olive Ridley turtle around 15 years old — turtles can live beyond 100 — transported by plane from further up the coast. She arrived in a dire state, barely alive and with a bone protruding from her flipper, which ultimately had to be amputated — likely the result of fighting to free herself from a fisherman's net. Safari has been recovering well and the clinic hopes she can return to the sea. Other frequent tasks include removing barnacles that embed themselves in shells and flippers, weakening their host. But a growing danger is plastic pollution. If a turtle eats plastic, it can create a blockage that in turn creates gas, making the turtle float and unable to dive. In these cases, the clinic gives the turtle laxatives to clear out its system. "We are seeing more and more floating turtles because the ocean has so much plastic," said Maitha. Survivors LOC also works to protect 50 to 100 nesting sites, threatened by rising sea levels. Turtles travel far and wide but always lay their eggs on the beach where they were born and Watamu is one of the most popular spots. Every three or four years, they produce hundreds of eggs, laid during multiple sessions over several months, that hatch after around 60 days. The charity often relocates eggs that have been laid too close to the sea. Marine biologist Joey Ngunu, LOC's technical manager, always calls the first to appear Kevin. "And once Kevin comes out, the rest follow," he said with a smile, describing the slow, clumsy procession to the water, preferably at night to avoid predators as much as possible. Only one in a thousand reaches adulthood of 20-25 years. "Living in the sea as a turtle must be crazy. You have to face so many dangers, fish and poachers; and now human pressure with plastic and commercial fishing," he said. "Turtles are definitely survivors." — AFP
eNCA
a day ago
- Health
- eNCA
Kenya NGO saves turtles from nets, plastic and rising tides
WATAMU - A small charity on the Kenyan coast has become vital to the region's majestic turtle population, saving thousands from poachers, fishermen's nets and ever-worsening plastic pollution. On the beach of the seaside town of Watamu, it takes four men to heave the huge Loggerhead sea turtle into the back of a car. She has just been saved from a fishing tackle and will be taken to a nearby clinic to be checked for injuries, then weighed, tagged and released back into the sea. A Kenyan NGO, Local Ocean Conservation (LOC), has been doing this work for almost three decades and has carried out some 24,000 rescues. "Every time I release a turtle, it's a really great joy for me. My motivation gets stronger and stronger," said Fikiri Kiponda, who has been part of LOC's 20-odd staff for 16 years. LOC began life in 1997 as a group of volunteers who hated seeing the creatures being eaten or dying in nets. Turtles are still poached for their shells, meat and oil. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd But through the charity's awareness campaigns in schools and villages, "perceptions have significantly changed", said Kiponda. LOC, which relies mostly on donations, compensates fishermen for bringing them injured turtles. More than 1,000 fishermen participate in the scheme and mostly do so for the sake of conservation, the charity emphasises, since the reward does not offset the hours of lost labour. - Floating turtles - At the NGO's nearby clinic, health coordinator Lameck Maitha, 34, says turtles are often treated for broken bones and tumours caused by a disease called Fibropapillomatosis. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd One current in-patient is Safari, a young Olive Ridley turtle around 15 years old -- turtles can live beyond 100 -- transported by plane from further up the coast. She arrived in a dire state, barely alive and with a bone protruding from her flipper, which ultimately had to be amputated -- likely the result of fighting to free herself from a fisherman's net. Safari has been recovering well and the clinic hopes she can return to the sea. Other frequent tasks include removing barnacles that embed themselves in shells and flippers, weakening their host. But a growing danger is plastic pollution. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd If a turtle eats plastic, it can create a blockage that in turn creates gas, making the turtle float and unable to dive. In these cases, the clinic gives the turtle laxatives to clear out its system. "We are seeing more and more floating turtles because the ocean has so much plastic," said Maitha. - Survivors - LOC also works to protect 50 to 100 nesting sites, threatened by rising sea levels. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd Turtles travel far and wide but always lay their eggs on the beach where they were born, and Watamu is one of the most popular spots. Every three or four years, they produce hundreds of eggs, laid during multiple sessions over several months, that hatch after around 60 days. The charity often relocates eggs that have been laid too close to the sea. Marine biologist Joey Ngunu, LOC's technical manager, always calls the first to appear Kevin. "And once Kevin comes out, the rest follow," he said with a smile, describing the slow, clumsy procession to the water, preferably at night to avoid predators as much as possible. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd
France 24
2 days ago
- General
- France 24
Kenya NGO saves turtles from nets, plastic and rising tides
On the beach of the seaside town of Watamu, it takes four men to heave the huge Loggerhead sea turtle into the back of a car. She has just been saved from a fishing tackle and will be taken to a nearby clinic to be checked for injuries, then weighed, tagged and released back into the sea. A Kenyan NGO, Local Ocean Conservation (LOC), has been doing this work for almost three decades and has carried out some 24,000 rescues. "Every time I release a turtle, it's a really great joy for me. My motivation gets stronger and stronger," said Fikiri Kiponda, 47, who has been part of LOC's 20-odd staff for 16 years. LOC began life in 1997 as a group of volunteers who hated seeing the creatures being eaten or dying in nets. Turtles are still poached for their shells, meat and oil. But through the charity's awareness campaigns in schools and villages, "perceptions have significantly changed", said Kiponda. LOC, which relies mostly on donations, compensates fishermen for bringing them injured turtles. More than 1,000 fishermen participate in the scheme and mostly do so for the sake of conservation, the charity emphasises, since the reward does not offset the hours of lost labour. Floating turtles At the NGO's nearby clinic, health coordinator Lameck Maitha, 34, says turtles are often treated for broken bones and tumours caused by a disease called Fibropapillomatosis. One current in-patient is Safari, a young Olive Ridley turtle around 15 years old -- turtles can live beyond 100 -- transported by plane from further up the coast. She arrived in a dire state, barely alive and with a bone protruding from her flipper, which ultimately had to be amputated -- likely the result of fighting to free herself from a fisherman's net. Safari has been recovering well and the clinic hopes she can return to the sea. Other frequent tasks include removing barnacles that embed themselves in shells and flippers, weakening their host. But a growing danger is plastic pollution. If a turtle eats plastic, it can create a blockage that in turn creates gas, making the turtle float and unable to dive. In these cases, the clinic gives the turtle laxatives to clear out its system. "We are seeing more and more floating turtles because the ocean has so much plastic," said Maitha. Survivors LOC also works to protect 50 to 100 nesting sites, threatened by rising sea levels. Turtles travel far and wide but always lay their eggs on the beach where they were born, and Watamu is one of the most popular spots. Every three or four years, they produce hundreds of eggs, laid during multiple sessions over several months, that hatch after around 60 days. The charity often relocates eggs that have been laid too close to the sea. Marine biologist Joey Ngunu, LOC's technical manager, always calls the first to appear Kevin. "And once Kevin comes out, the rest follow," he said with a smile, describing the slow, clumsy procession to the water, preferably at night to avoid predators as much as possible. Only one in a thousand reaches adulthood of 20-25 years. "Living in the sea as a turtle must be crazy. You have to face so many dangers, fish and poachers, and now human pressure with plastic and commercial fishing," he said. "Turtles are definitely survivors." © 2025 AFP
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Pictures of lifeboat and crew in Dunkirk rescue colourised for 85th anniversary
Coxswain Edward Drake Parker and his crew at Margate Lifeboat Station followed the government's call to send small vessels to Dunkirk to help rescue some of the nearly 340,000 British, French and Belgian troops stuck there in May 1940. The RNLI has had two of its images from the time painstakingly cleaned and colourised using digital technology to mark the bravery of the crews that took part in Operation Dynamo 85 years ago, which began on May 26. Coxswain Parker, who was 53 when he led his crew to the French coast, was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his services at Dunkirk. He previously said of the operation: 'Margate lifeboat crew were standing by in their favourite pub, playing a quiet game of darts when I was called down to the boathouse. 'I asked them if they would help take the boat to Dunkirk to help rescue our boys. That was a shock to them, but they all volunteered without a murmur. 'They rushed home to tell their wives to get some food and then we were off. 'Margate was a pretty dead town then, more than half the residents had evacuated. 'But when we got to Dunkirk it was a bit different. With shells bursting and fires raging, it was like hell.' One of the images of Margate Lifeboat Station shows Coxswain Parker with his crew in front of the Lord Southborough lifeboat which made the journey to Dunkirk. The original black and white photo has been brought to life with colour, revealing the crew in brown kapok lifejackets and brodie helmets. Kapok lifejackets were worn by RNLI crews during the Second World War. Kapok is a fine, cotton-like material which is more commonly used to stuff cushions and toys and is highly buoyant, the RNLI said. For crews taking part in wartime action, brodie helmets replaced the traditional yellow sou'wester. The second photo shows the Lord Southborough in full colour, revealing a blue lifeboat with the RNLI logo. It also shows the crew in their signature bright yellow waterproof oilskin coats. The RNLI sent 19 boats across in total as part of the maritime rescue, with two crewed by its volunteers and 17 crewed by the Royal Navy. When Coxswain Parker and his crew got to the shore, the sound of shell fire and the smell of burning was everywhere. In the darkness, the crew had to feel their way towards the shore. Once there, they got to work, moving people from the shore to the larger ships anchored in deeper water. The crew from Ramsgate Lifeboat Station also went to Dunkirk for Operation Dynamo. Both RNLI boats helped to save 3,400 people in the evacuation, the charity said. Hayley Whiting, RNLI heritage archive and research manager, said: 'As we mark the 85th anniversary of Dunkirk, it feels fitting to bring these images of Margate Lifeboat Station to life with colour and remember the bravery of the crews that went across to Dunkirk and the lives they saved. 'I'm delighted to see Coxswain Parker and his crew in colour, it gives us an opportunity to share this remarkable story of courage and take a moment to reflect on the bravery of those that set sail for Dunkirk all those years ago and the difficult journey they faced. We're so proud of their courage and lifesaving efforts. 'Both of these images have been worked on by our in-house creative team to bring the original colours to life, with hours spent on the detail and research, to ensure they are a true representation.'
Leader Live
22-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Pictures of lifeboat and crew in Dunkirk rescue colourised for 85th anniversary
Coxswain Edward Drake Parker and his crew at Margate Lifeboat Station followed the government's call to send small vessels to Dunkirk to help rescue some of the nearly 340,000 British, French and Belgian troops stuck there in May 1940. The RNLI has had two of its images from the time painstakingly cleaned and colourised using digital technology to mark the bravery of the crews that took part in Operation Dynamo 85 years ago, which began on May 26. Coxswain Parker, who was 53 when he led his crew to the French coast, was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his services at Dunkirk. He previously said of the operation: 'Margate lifeboat crew were standing by in their favourite pub, playing a quiet game of darts when I was called down to the boathouse. 'I asked them if they would help take the boat to Dunkirk to help rescue our boys. That was a shock to them, but they all volunteered without a murmur. 'They rushed home to tell their wives to get some food and then we were off. 'Margate was a pretty dead town then, more than half the residents had evacuated. 'But when we got to Dunkirk it was a bit different. With shells bursting and fires raging, it was like hell.' One of the images of Margate Lifeboat Station shows Coxswain Parker with his crew in front of the Lord Southborough lifeboat which made the journey to Dunkirk. The original black and white photo has been brought to life with colour, revealing the crew in brown kapok lifejackets and brodie helmets. Kapok lifejackets were worn by RNLI crews during the Second World War. Kapok is a fine, cotton-like material which is more commonly used to stuff cushions and toys and is highly buoyant, the RNLI said. For crews taking part in wartime action, brodie helmets replaced the traditional yellow sou'wester. The second photo shows the Lord Southborough in full colour, revealing a blue lifeboat with the RNLI logo. It also shows the crew in their signature bright yellow waterproof oilskin coats. The RNLI sent 19 boats across in total as part of the maritime rescue, with two crewed by its volunteers and 17 crewed by the Royal Navy. When Coxswain Parker and his crew got to the shore, the sound of shell fire and the smell of burning was everywhere. In the darkness, the crew had to feel their way towards the shore. Once there, they got to work, moving people from the shore to the larger ships anchored in deeper water. The crew from Ramsgate Lifeboat Station also went to Dunkirk for Operation Dynamo. Both RNLI boats helped to save 3,400 people in the evacuation, the charity said. Hayley Whiting, RNLI heritage archive and research manager, said: 'As we mark the 85th anniversary of Dunkirk, it feels fitting to bring these images of Margate Lifeboat Station to life with colour and remember the bravery of the crews that went across to Dunkirk and the lives they saved. 'I'm delighted to see Coxswain Parker and his crew in colour, it gives us an opportunity to share this remarkable story of courage and take a moment to reflect on the bravery of those that set sail for Dunkirk all those years ago and the difficult journey they faced. We're so proud of their courage and lifesaving efforts. 'Both of these images have been worked on by our in-house creative team to bring the original colours to life, with hours spent on the detail and research, to ensure they are a true representation.'
