Arabuko-Sokoke National Park and Turtle Watch

Even though we could have, we did not just sit around that fabulous house. We had a number of interesting and exciting adventures in the area. First up, we explored Arabuko-Sokoke National Park. This is the largest remaining piece of coastal forest in East Africa. We had an excellent guide who pointed out all the birds, mostly by call alone, that we encountered. We even saw some yellow baboons, very exciting for us primatologists! 

First we went for a walk:

Next we went to this great viewpoint that show the extent of the solid canopy of forest:

I never was good at following all the rules.....

Another outing was to the local branch of Turtle Watch. 

Here we learned about the 4 species of turtles that visit that portion of the Kenyan coast - Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley - and all the dangers they face - fisherman's nets, poaching, boats and more. In addition to a lot of community projects and educational outreach, Turtle Watch takes in sick and injured sea turtles. We got to visit with their only patient at the time:

This is Bootstrap, a female Olive Ridley, that came in covered in barnacles, missing one flipper, and a floater (something internal is preventing her from diving, which is essential to survival in the wild). 

The remains of turtles are piled up all over the facility, a sad collection.

To learn more about Turtle Watch Watamu visit:  watamuturtles.com