Day 4 - Wednesday 7/1

We were up early this morning to watch the turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests. We arrived on the beach at about 6:30am and saw our first baby turtle at about 7. The only problem was that it was dead, along with about six others scattered along the beach. We spoke to some volunteers and apparently some dogs had been digging up the nests overnight, killing the hatchlings before they had a chance to venture out to sea. It wasn't long before we saw a live one though, crawling towards the ocean with its miniature flippers. There were a few volunteers around who helped it get into the water. We spotted two reef sharks swimming dangerously close to shore, giving little chance for the vulnerable creature to make it safely out to sea.


A group of dead turtles

As devastating as the while scenario was, there was definitely a story in it. James interviewed a CALM volunteer and the ranger about the dogs rading the turtle's nests. He wrote an article and moments prior to submission we found out that two dogs had been captured and taken to the pound. Let's hope this means the turtles nests won't be disturbed again.


A lonesome turtle venturing toward the sea

My task for the morning was to accompany Liam from the telegraph to a morning tea for the Hedland Well Women's Centre. I took some photos of the people who had attended, which will be published in the 'out and about' section of the Northwest Telegraph.

We spent the first part of the afternoon talking to some managers in the businesses in South Hedland. We gathered a few newsworthy quotes. We ended our day in the CUCRH office, discussing story ideas and undergoing further research.