Akrotiri Turtlewatch was founded nearly 20 years ago by the Royal Air Force and since then has helped to increase the number of nests from 7 to over 70.

This will be the 16th year that Glasgow University students have been involved in the project, focusing on conservation and monitoring of the populations of green and loggerhead turtles in the area.

Team splits into 2 groups to patrol a total of 13 beaches on

a daily basis from approx 7am.

Rotation works on a 3 days on, 2 days off basis.

Patrolling for signs of nesting, hatching and prohibited

human activity.

•Beach clean-ups.•Protecting the nests from water damage.•Monitoring predation of nests by foxes.•Disposing of dead turtles.•Caring for and transporting injured turtles to the turtle sanctuary in Larnaca.

Run the Turtlewatch shop

on base, providing

information and raising

funds for Turtlewatch.

Give talks in local schools and

scout groups about what we

do and why turtle conservation

is so important.

Assist with excavations of

nests in the later months to

provide further education to

the public.

Night Patrols• Roughly 2-3 per week

• Presence on the beaches at night limited by SBA environmental centre

• Night patrols are open to the public (in small numbers)

The Turtlewatch team consists of 2 leaders who oversee the

summer and 3 groups of 5 people who go out for roughly 5

weeks each-

Month 1 June- July deals mainly with nesting females

Month 2 July- August deals with both nesting females

and hatchlings

Month 3 August- September deals mainly with

hatchlings

Set up

Personal contribution: around £400 which covers flights and

insurance

Personal Fundraising: £100-£150 contribution towards

expedition costs

Spending money: need to have around £500

for the month- this is for day trips, nights off,

extra food, sports etc.

....this means a commitment throughout the year to

organise fundraising events such as bake sales, ceilidhs,

karaoke events etc!! But its all a lot of fun and a good

chance to get to know your team!

What does it take to become a member of the Turtlewatch

Team...

• Someone who is not afraid of hard work and has a good sense

of fun

• A driving license is preferred but not compulsory

• You do not have to been on an expedition before but the

ability to be away from home for 5weeks is necessary

• A real interest in conservation but that does not mean only

zoology students are welcome!!

So...if spending 5 weeks in sunny Cyprus caring for these wonderful animals is something you can see

yourself doing, feel free to grab an application form!!

Turtlewatch.