116 July - August 2015MAIN AND BELOW: DAVID FLEETHAM/ OCEANWIDEIMAGES; INSET: JUSTIN GILLIGANRecord donations will go a long way towards securing
the future for sea turtles in Australia.Sea turtle fundraiser
most successful to date
CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNR
AISING $79,000 between
November and December 2014,
our sea turtle appeal has been
our biggest campaign yet. The AG
Society runs six fundraisers each year,
through the Australian Geographic
stores, and our website and journal.
The Sea Turtle Foundation – a
Queensland-based conservation group,
which protects sea turtle populations, as
well as their migration routes and
habitats – has been the much-deserving
recipient of the donations.
“This year, the Sea Turtle Founda-
tion is concentrating on coordinating
marine animal stranding responses,”
says project manager Julie Traweek.
“We will be building partnerships
by hosting sea turtle health and
rehabilitation workshops, and assist-
ing with research to learn more aboutmigration patterns and turtle health.”
Seven species of sea turtle inhabit
the oceans, although human impacts
have depleted populations to the
point where fi ve are listed as endan-
gered or critically endangered. The
Sea Turtle Foundation will use the
donations from Australian
Geographic supporters to
learn more about the
turtles of Heron Island
via satellite tracking. This
will help researchers
discover where the turtles
travel after breeding in
waters around the island.
Funds will also go to Sea
Turtle Foundation research
partners from James Cook
University working on
Raine Island. This island isAustralia’s largest green sea turtle
rookery, but has seen a decline in
nesting success in recent years.
Researchers plan to look into the
possible microbial causes of egg failure
to determine the best way to help these
long-lived sea creatures.
PHOEBE BALDWINThank you! Green turtles
such as this will benefi t
from your generosity.Ancient seafarer. A green
sea turtle with schooling
fi sh off the island of Bali.At risk. The green sea turtle is
one of six marine turtle species
found in Australian waters.116 Australian Geographic 圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀
WorldMags.net