Giant River Turtle Nests

Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) nests being dug up for relocation to safer, higher ground.
CAPTIVE-REARING PROGRAM FOR REINTRODUCTION TO THE WILD
CITES II IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)
Playita Beach, (mid) Orinoco River, 110 Km north of Puerto Ayacucho. Apure Province, VENEZUELA. South America.

During egg laying season staff sleep on the nesting beaches to monitor the nests. All nests layed on low lying ground are relocated to an area not likely to flood. They are then surrounded by a net to catch all hatchlings who will then spend the first year of their life in captivity to increase their chances of survival.

Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: OR887_Giant_River_Turtle_Nests.jpg
Copyright: © Pete Oxford
Image Size: 5515x3663 / 11.6MB; Apure Province Giant River turtle turtle Nests Orinoco River Podocnemis expansa Puerto Ayacucho Reptile South America Terrapin Venezuela podocnemis
Contained in galleries

Giant River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa) nests being dug up for relocation to safer, higher ground.<br />
CAPTIVE-REARING PROGRAM FOR REINTRODUCTION TO THE WILD<br />
CITES II IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)<br />
Playita Beach, (mid) Orinoco River, 110 Km north of Puerto Ayacucho. Apure Province, VENEZUELA. South America. <br />
<br />
During egg laying season staff sleep on the nesting beaches to monitor the nests. All nests layed on low lying ground are relocated to an area not likely to flood. They are then surrounded by a net to catch all hatchlings who will then spend the first year of their life in captivity to increase their chances of survival.