Camera Traps: A Novel Method to Estimate Numbers of Nesting Sea Turtles.

ABSTRACT: Abundance estimates are difficult to obtain for many animal groups, yet essential for endangered species management and conservation. For sea turtles, estimates are made from ground counts of nesting females, tracks, and nests, but these are challenging at remote locations. Here we explore the applicability of using camera traps to monitor and estimate sea turtle nesting tracks at a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookery in the Western Indian Ocean.Camera traps (n = 13) were deployed to photograph turtle tracks daily along a 2.8 km beach in Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipelago in 2021 and 2022. Foot patrol surveys were conducted in April and May 2021 and August 2022 (14, 13 and 20 days, respectively). Track counts were compared from both methods to validate the use of cameras.From

SUBMITTER: Stokes HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12434351 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature