After recently finishing my four-year degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology, I was looking for an opportunity that would not only give me relevant experience in my field but also offer a fun escape after the stress of my final year at University. That’s when I came across an advertisement by Nature Seychelles: “Help save Turtles in Seychelles.” The role described tasks like collecting data from critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, conducting bird censuses, controlling invasive species, and spending time on a remote tropical island. It sounded like an adventure and a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in marine fieldwork. I applied, got accepted, and before I knew it, I was on a flight to the Seychelles.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by Tagg, the science officer of Cousin Island, who would take me to the boat bound for the island where I would spend the next three months. During the car ride to the boat, Tagg pointed out various species, such as the huge flying bats and many others. I quickly learned that this was typical of Tagg— he knows everything there is to know about the hundreds of plant species, marine life, invertebrates, and vertebrates.
As I was getting acquainted with the work, Tagg was a patient and clear teacher, making the learning process both enjoyable and stress-free. A typical workday began at 8 a.m. with the first beach patrol. During these patrols, I would walk one side of the island while another person walked the opposite side, both of us on the lookout for turtle tracks. Once we identified a track, we recorded it on a sheet and later entered the data into a database. I found identifying the various patterns of turtle tracks to be the most fascinating part of the job. For example, you could tell where a turtle had nested by the spray of sand on nearby leaves or the sudden absence of tracks after a chain of travel. You could even see where she got stuck, lost, or gave up. If we found a turtle, we stayed with it as it nested, measuring its carapace, reading its tags (or tagging it if it was untagged), and counting the eggs as she was laying. The entire process is incredible to witness, made even more remarkable by the diverse species constantly visible around us, such as the elegant white terns, mischievous skinks, and quirky ghost crabs.
In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities; reading books, bodyboarding, swimming (including night swims with beautiful bioluminescence), exploring various viewpoints on the Island, and snorkelling, where I had the chance to see turtles, sharks, and various fish species such as unicorn fish and parrotfish. Once a week, we travelled to Praslin Island to do our food shopping. During the boat trip, I often saw flying fish leaping from the water and soaring through the air.
Of course, there are some challenges. Getting used to walking barefoot was one of them. Walking barefoot is more convenient on sandy beaches, but it was challenging at first when navigating the forest, with its bumps, rocks, and uneven terrain. Overtime, my soles began to toughen up and it became easier. Power cuts were also common during the day to conserve energy for nighttime use, but this was hardly a problem, as we spend most of the day outdoors and don’t rely on electricity. Plus, we have gas cookers.
Overall, the challenges are minimal compared to the many benefits of working on this island, such as the extraordinary and entertaining wildlife I get to experience every day, the kind people I lived alongside, and the calming simplicity of life on a remote island.