08/29/2026
It's hard to describe the feeling of standing a few feet away from one of the oldest creatures on Earth as it does something it has been doing for millions of years. This summer, in Galibi, Suriname, home to the Indigenous Kaliña (Carib) people, we watched both leatherback and green sea turtles emerge from the ocean and begin nesting. Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles on Earth, with some individuals reaching 1,500 pounds, and they belong to a lineage that has survived since the age of dinosaurs. Today, they are considered Vulnerable globally, with some populations facing even greater threats. What struck me almost as much as the turtle itself was hearing about the reality of protecting them. Our guide, Dick with Unlock Nature, explained that despite conservation efforts, egg poaching remains a serious issue in the region. In some cases, a poacher may quietly join an ecotourism group to locate active nesting sites or even linger behind the group and legit just collect them on-site. It's a difficult situation because confronting someone directly isn't always simple when the safety of other guests is involved. As he described it, the dynamics can be incredibly delicate, and even speaking up against poaching to wildlife officials or police can carry risks, when many are paid through the poaching operation. Watching this ancient giant lay her eggs beneath the stars was something I'll never forget. But it also reminded me that every successful nest represents far more than a wildlife spectacle. It represents the constant effort of local communities, guides, conservationists, and researchers working to ensure that one of the planet's most remarkable animals still has a future. It blew my mind watcher her enter a trance-like state and exert what seemed like an excruciating degree of physical and mental effort, then slowly disappear back into the Atlantic. I hope this species can continue to engage in this ritual forever, and I want to extend a thank you to anybody out there who’s devoted their lives to conservation so that people like me are able to witness and photograph things like this. Thanks for bringing us here! Serpentine Expeditions
