The Caretta Research Project is a hands-on research, conservation and education program that has been protecting the nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge since 1973.
The three goals of the project are:
- To learn more about the reproductive biology, population trends and nesting habits of loggerhead turtles;
- To enhance survival of eggs and hatchlings on a nesting beach; and
- To educate and involve the public in turtle preservation.
Each year, for 16 weeks during the summer, groups of volunteers travel to the beaches of Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge near Savannah, Georgia to help monitor egg-laying and hatching activity and to collect data on the loggerhead turtles.
Accomplishments since 1973:
- added over 1,558 turtles to the tagged loggerhead population;
- monitored 2,970 nests containing more than 352,400 eggs;
- successfully released over 212,000 hatchlings into the ocean;
- trained 19 interns who have gone to other environmental / educational programs; and
- involved and educated 2,980 volunteers from all over the world in sea turtle conservation efforts.
