Logs

Logs that wash up on Gabon's beaches pose a serious threat to sea turtles. Not only do they present a potentially deadly physical obstacle to nesting females and hatchlings, but they also alter the dynamic of the coastline, modifying the habitat suitable for nesting, and change the composition of the sand as they decompose.

With respect to the presence of washed-up logs on the beaches, we are conducting studies (Laurance et al., Bourgeois et al.)to quantify their exact impact on nesting females and hatchlings, to assess the feasibility and techniques of log removal from the beaches, and to evaluate the possibility of re-utilisation by local villagers.

We have also begun a dialog with timber industry officials to try to precipitate change in industry practices.

It Adds Up

Ground-truthed aerial surveys showed us that Pongara and Gamba have the highest numbers of beach logs in Gabon. As you can see in this photograph, turtles may abandon a nesting attempt when their crawl is blocked by logs. In addition, if their crawl is blocked by logs, they may also be forced to lay their nests below the high tide line, thus increasing the chances of the nest being flooded by waves and thus having low or no hatching. Over time, these failed nests add up to a serious threat to turtle populations

Taking Action

We organised a log removal campaign in Pongara, removing hundreds of logs from one of the world's most important nesting beaches, and making the wood available to local villagers. But unless action is taken by the industry to stop the loss of logs during loading, this solution is unsustainable.

A Deadly Mistake

Sea turtles can't crawl "in reverse", so once they get stuck on a log, they can't get back off. They are then doomed to die of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sun exposure.

Clogged!

The above snapshot is a view of a Gabonese estuary, clogged with a flotilla of logs awaiting loading onto ships bound for European and Asian markets.