predators. Available data from nesting sites contin-
ues to indicate persistent and marked declines, and
the IUCN believes that the Loggerhead’s survival is
now largely dependent on conservation efforts.
At Gnaraloo, the number of nests has remained
relatively consistent since 2008; although numbers
were down 2017-18, they were up in 2016-17, and
there is no overall decline apparent. Moreover,
given the high levels of nest predation prior to the
inception of the program in 2008, it would be
reasonable to predict a general decline of nest
numbers, or at least a stabilisation at low levels, for
perhaps 20 years. In this light, the lack of a decline
can be considered to be a significant victory, and
one can only imagine what the situation would be
like had the GTCP not commenced operations in
2008.
At iHerp Australia, we were so impressed by the
initiatives at Gnaraloo, and by the obvious passion
demonstrated by chief scientist Karen Hattingh