IMIS

The rehabilitation centers are doing a very good job in educating the public about the need and conservation of sea turtles and to raise the awareness of the public and visitors to the center of the plyt of the worlds sea turtles. One of the best tests of the success and adaptation of life back to the wild after rehabilitation of the released animal sack wild is to follow them in the sea. This can only be achieved with satellite telemetry. Satellite tracking facilitates rapid identification of critical habitats, thus representing a valuable tool for elucidating management requirements. In the case of small threatened rookeries the methodology is particularly useful, as with moderate capital investment detailed information can be gathered very quickly. By tracking rehabilitated and nesting green and loggerhead turtles, we set out to rapidly delineate habitats (nesting beaches, inter-nesting areas, migratory routes, and foraging grounds) utilized by turtles originating from Turkey. In this way, we aimed to highlight prioritize areas for conservation. There have only been a few monitored turtles from nesting beaches, this work will be the first one aimed at the monitoring of turtles post-rehabilitation and post-nesting.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Center (DEKAMER) were established in 2009 in Dalyan, Mugla-Turkey after a protocol was agreed upon between the Directorate of the Conservation of Nature and National Natural Parks and the Environmental Protection Agency for Special Areas of Turkish Ministry of Environment of Forestry, the Municipality of the Dalyan, and Pamukkale University. Later that year, the Higher Educational Council of Turkey officially recognized the rescue center and its constitution was published in the Turkish Official Newspaper. Despite there being a number of nesting and foraging grounds along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, only one turtle rescue centre has been established following the RAC/SPA (Regional Activity Center/Special Protected Areas) guidelines (RAC/SPA, 2004). The center is set up for year-round activity to help educate the public about conservation efforts for sea turtles. DEKAMER will act as the regular body, monitoring Dalyan beach for nesting activities, by accepting volunteers from all Universities worldwide. Any injured turtles found along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey are also brought the center, where care of their necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation is given. DEKAMER is open for both national and international collaborations in all types of scientific studies.