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With the intention of encouraging the general public to become participants in environmental protection and to develop responsible behaviour Kelonia runs regular turtle and turtle habitat protection programmes at which students and members of the public are welcome.
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Thesis – Katia Ballorain
Katia Ballorain, doctorat candidate at The University of Reunion has presented her thesis entitled “Trophic ecology of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Underseas Grazing Grounds and Algae Fields of the South-west Indian Ocean”.
Inter-species interactions are an indicator of the state of health of an ecosystem and its eventual evolution. In order to better understand the dynamics of marine bio-diversity within the current context of climate change and the intensification of human activities, we proposed an integrated approach in the description of interactions existing between green turtles and their trophic habitats. The green turtle is the only herbivorous sea turtle at both pre-adult and adult stages. They take their principal nourishment from under water grazing and algae fields in relatively shallow coastal waters, and thus constitute an excellent subject for the study of the trophic and functional ecology of sea turtles in their natural habitats.
The work presented in this manuscript concerned two populations of green turtles: the first feeds on sea phanerogams located at the site of N’Gouja in Mayotte, and the second feeds on benthic algae on the west coast of Reunion Island.
At the current point of this study, the system of green turtle-grazing grounds is better understood. We can state that there is a synthesis of relations existing between diving behaviour and alimentation in sexually immature individuals with trophic availability in the heart of an multi-specied underwater grazing ground. This has been revealed by automated systems (miniature activity monitoring systems, Fastloc-GPS), by direct observation of green turtles and by conventional phyto-ecological data collection.
In addition, our study has enabled us to start monitoring the green turtle ecosystem – undersea grazing fields in N’Gouja and to describe early tendencies. Over four years a diminution of 80 per cent of the plant bio-mass has accentuated the herbivorous pressure of the turtles on the grazing ground, thus, impoverishing the diversity of species and favouring the pioneer species. The parallel diminution of the turtle population suggests an alimentary model that is density dependant. The consequences of the over-grazing of the grounds by the turtles may be compared negatively to the consequences obtained through a simulation of a zero herbivorous pressure. We demonstrate that through a moderate herbivorous pressure, an intermediary succession stage of the grazing grounds is maintained and that species diversity is favoured by the diminution of the competitive capacities of the species that are consumed.
We deduce from our study indications related to the phyto-dynamics of a multi-species grazing ground and the herbivorous pressure exerted by the green turtles that enable us to envisage the responses of an ecosystem such as N’Gouja to different environmental scenarios. Ultimately, and from a wider point of view, we are considering whether the statutory evolution of Mayotte can contribute to deepening knowledge and insuring a more permanent protection of the marine turtles present on its territory. We describe the departmentalisation a method of accentuating the processes of clarification of the laws applicable to Mayotte and as a way of insuring the material, financial and human means necessary to the protection of the environment.
Population studies effectuated by air over the west coast of Reunion, reveal the presence of sexually mature and immature individuals in numbers that have been increasing since 1996. This approach has enabled us to reveal a preference for coral habitats and to use parallel under-water observations to demonstrate the preference for the west coast of Reunion as a feeding site for mature and developing individuals.
This work has contributed new tools for the establishment of sea turtle and habitat conservation strategies and it has underlined the importance of long-term ecosystem monitoring.
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© Katia Ballorain
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February 12, 2012 |
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2010 Sea Turtle Colloquium
SHF/MNHM
Between January 20 and January 22, 2010 the Museum of Natural History hosted a colloquium on sea turtles in France and in French overseas departments and territories. This colloquium, which was organised by the Museum of Natural History and the French Herpetological Society had the following objectives:
- to enable different participants in programs of research and observation of sea turtles in France and overseas France to meet,
- to share knowledge that has been forthcoming through recent scientific research,
- to promote the harmonisation of methods of collection and analysis of data,
- to define priorities concerning the questions affecting actions and research for the conservation of sea turtles.
 download the program
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© GTMF
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January 20-22, 2010
Muséum d'Histoire naturelle (Paris) |
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Winning photo of the Grand
Concours International 2008
Catherine Tea was finalist of the "Grand Concours International 2008" organized by the magazine PHOTO in the category "animals" with this photograph taken during her visit in Kélonia.
Congratulations for this picture full of poetry.
http://concours.photo.fr/
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Projection of films and
documentaries of Reunion Island
Projection on big screen of films and documentaries:
TURTLES HUNTERS
a Sami chalak film
Production: Alefa Production - 2004 / length 26mn
The Vezo, a semi-nomadic fishermen population of the west coast of Madagascar, have always hunted marine turtle. The harpoon huntigng technique gave rise to specific rituals and conferred on the hunter honour and prestige. The turtle was sacrificed on an altar in thanks to the forefathers because she allowed to feed the clan.
The introduction of modern fishing techniques such as underwater net and guns favoured the development of turtles trade towards the urban centres.
What is the place of the turtle in the Vezo today? How do plans of protection of the marine turtle intervene in this context?
MEGAPTERA
A film by Jean-Manuel Prudhomme and Fred Bouvier
Production: Voyage / Azure - 2004 / 52mn
Humpback whales, or megaptera, have developed the habit of coming for four months a year, during the Austral winter, to Mayotte, to Madagascar or to Comoros, to breed. Waters there are warm, deep, and not much visited by tourists. Therefore they feel secure.
In the Indian Ocean region, several associations and governmental organisms try to develop "whale watching": a type of ecotourism based on the observation of whales behaviour.
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Europeans Heritage Days
Created in 1984 by the Culture Ministry, Europeans Heritage Days take place, every year, the third weekend of September. The National topic is: «A heritage open to everybody».
To celebrate these days, Kélonia offers you:
Thematic circuit: " The marine turtles an inevitable element of heritage réunionnais " Compulsory registration in: 0262 34 81 10 or at contact@kelonia.org
Free guided tour ONLY on reservation
Hours of visits: FREE thematic circuit ONLY on booking: 10.30 am / 2.30 pm
Usual visit: for people without booking, the visit of Kélonia remains profitable at a special rate of 5 euros by persons. Free for under 3 years old children
Free or guided visits (included in SPECIAL PRICE SETTING)
Hours of guided visits: usual circuit - without booking
10.00 am / 11.30 am - 2 pm / 15.15 pm / 16.30 pm
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September 19th and 20th, 2009
free Guided tour only on reservation
without reservation entered
in reduced rate
(5 euro instead of 7 euro )
Register on
contact@kelonia.org
from now
or in 02 62 34 81 10
Caution, restricted places!
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Reunionese Marine Turtles' day
For the 11th time, Kélonia organises the Marine Turtles' day. After Mayotte and Mohéli, Reunion celebrates marine turtles! The aim is to sensitize the public to the natural heritage value of marine turtles, and the conservation of the species and their habitats. During the day, all person presenting at Kelonia with an object or a clothing item with a marine turtle will benefit of the reduced entry fee (5€). A game is also proposed for the visitors to win numerous prizes with the Quicksilver and Roxy contest.
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July 4th and 5th, 2009
Reduced entry fees (5€ instead of 7€) for all person with an object or cloth item representing a marine turtle.
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Ocean World Day 2009
The objective of this day being to make sensitive most large number, on environmental themes for which it is crucial to act at the world level. Within the framework of the World Days of the Ocean, Kélonia proposes you a varied program addressing a wide public. This year still, this day will be placed under the friendly eye of a prestigious godmother: Maud FONTENOY.
Visio-conference
Projection room of Kélonia
Work presentation. Bringing in to light the work of each of the speakers, confronting their experiences, allowing exchanges and creating links.
Live between Kélonia and NAUSICAA - National Center of the Sea. Attention, reserved access: press and officials only
2:30 pm
Between the young members of the youth parliament of Reunion and high school students of the secondary school Mariette de Boulogne-sur-mer (Côte d'Opale, France).
Time: 12:30 pm
Between the schoolchildren of the Point (Headland) of Castles (Reunion island) and those of Berck (metropolis)
Conference
"Humpback whales, our winter guests"
Projection room of Kélonia - 6:00 pm
animated by the association Globice
Entrance: free only on booking in 0262 34 81 10
Whales were seen in great number in the Reuniones waters in 2008. Scientists said that it was an exceptional year! How does the association Globice explain this phenomenon? Did the studies allow to deepen the knowledge on these cetaceans? How do the threats pressing on them evolve? How to protect them at best?
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8th of june 2009
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Worldwide Ocean Days 2008
This event tries to raise awareness within the general public for the future of our ‘blue planet’. It invites everyone to become active and work towards a better management for the World’s Oceans and their resources. Kélonia participates in this event upon request of the ‘Lions Club International, Saint-Denis Réunion, Perle Australe’ to contribute to the organization of the «Worldwide Ocean Days». Numerous programs and activities are offered at various communal venues which are located throughout the Island. In Saint Leu this event is hosted by Kélonia and offers the following:
2nd to 6th of June
GUIDED TOUR - WORKSHOPS
Programs for school children
Guided tour «The life of marine turtles and tortoises of the region» / Workshops concerning waste management and possible gestures for eco-citizens, and nesting beach rehabilitation.
7th and 8th of June
PLANTING
Planting indigenous plants on the beach of ‘Pointe des Châteaux’ (Sunday, 8th of June to 10 am; inscription the same day between 9 and 10 am at the reception of Kélonia)
2nd to 8th of June
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION
Foyer of Kélonia (free entry)
«When turtles invite whales»
(Kélonia and GLOBICE)
Saturday, June 7th
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Video projection room, Kélonia
(free entry, reservation required)
2:30 pm
Corals, nanopromoters of wealth
(Life Océane, Florence Trentin).
Coral reefs are living reliefs built by the plentiful and magnificent corals, which are present in transparent tropical waters. Source of diversity and wealth, they are an economic resource for Humanity and should be managed in a sustainable manner.
3:15 pm
Humpback whales, our winter guests
(GLOBICE)
Encounters with humpback whales are frequent in the waters around Reunion between June and October. Studies conducted by Globice help to increase our knowledge of these Cetaceans. Who are these creatures? Which threats do we pose to their lifes? How can we best protect them, particularly in the context of the marine reserve that has just been created in Reunion.
4 pm
Presentation of the Marine Natural Reserve»
(Parc Marin de la Réunion, Emmanuel Tessier).
The coral reefs of Reunion represent a biodiversity that is most remarkable among the French Overseas Departments. In 2007 the Marine Natural Reserve was created to preserve this largely threatened habitat. How does it work? What are the limits? What are the rules and how are they applied?
4:45 pm
The network of Marine Protected Areas of COI
(COI, Mr Ratsimbazafy, Project leader MPA Network).
The marine and coastal ecosystems of the islands of the western Indian Ocean (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles) represent a tremendous biological diversity of great productivity. They also provide shelter for many threatened species and contribute to the income of its coastal populations. The threats to these ecosystems are great. They are associated with human activities as well as with global natural developments. Confronted with such threats, the countries of this region created 26 Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
7th and 8th of June
Foyer of Kélonia (free entry) – Lions Club
Oral presentation: the essential role of the World’s Oceans and efforts for their restoration and conservation.
The passport "Citoyen de l'Océan"
Acquire this passport at the participating venues and become a "Citoyen de l' Océan" by participating in activities to protect and promote the marine environment.
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© Eric Lamblin
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2nd to 8th of June
Kélonia
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Marine turtles of
the south-western Indian Ocean
An exceptional, natural and common heritage to preserve
This poster was edited to present the 5 species of marine turtles living on the south-western Indian Ocean. Local names of each species allow to identify them and facilitate information exchange between the different regional actors for their preservation. This cooperation is essential for the study and the conservation of these migratory reptiles that occupy different habitats spread accross several countries during their life cycle..
Download pdf format (954 k)
the poster
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© illustration : Philippe Payet
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The Quotidien
Young Reporter Contest
The Quotidien and the Academy of Reunion organises a contest open to the CMI, CM2, 6th grade and fifth grade classes of the island. Each class must create a thematic report dealing with one of Reunion’s animals. The content is free: photos, texts, drawings, illustrations, poems..., as is the support: paper or digital support. The finalists win a pedagogical visit to Kelonia, the turtle observatory in St. Leu.
Consult the rules and regulations at:
www.journaldesjeunes.com
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Applications until
December 19, 2007
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Word Ocean Day 2007
For this the first participation in the World Oceans Days, Kelonia proposes guided tours based on the rehabilitation of the nesting beaches of Reunion’s marine turtles. They will take place on the St Leu beach in collaboration with the Point de Chateaux Junior High School and the Town Hall.
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rehabilitation of the nesting beaches
© kélonia
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Friday June 7, 2007
Free guided visits
9:30 – 10:30 – 2:30 – 4:00
Only on reservation
Telephone: 0262 34 81 10
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Marine Turtles Days 2007
In the framework of the Marine Turtle Days which will be taking place for the first time in July 2007, Kelonia is organising an amateur photo contest of pictures taken on the Kelonia site. Beginning on July 7, 2007 in the entry hall, the most beautiful pictures will be on display and open to public a vote. Prizes will be distributed to the winners.
 rules and regulations (in french, pdf)
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Visitor's photo © Dalbera
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Last date for sending in entries
June 20, 2007 mid-night
Photo Exhibition
July 7, 2007
Results
July 16 2007-05-20
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The adventures of Kelonia
In order to sensitise the young public to the protection of marine turtles and the environment, 42 schools and junior high schools have been selected to participate in a contest entitled “The adventures of Kelonia.” The participating children must create the adventure of Kelonia, a young turtle born too weak on the St Leu beach to leave his nest but who was saved by the Kelonia team. Having gained strength at the centre, he was then released into his natural habitat.
rules ans regulations (in french, pdf)
results (in french, pdf)
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Get together at the lagoon
© kélonia
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Last day to deposit works
March 10, 2007
Designation of class winner
May 2007
Prizes
Discovery activities in Reunion
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The Observatory of Marine Turtles
