On 7/19/24, volunteers continued their training for the protection of Diamondback terrapins at the Lido Beach Conservatory. Many volunteers from the previous embarkment to the nature preserve further continued their training under the teachings of conservationist Sharon, but new volunteers that showed interest towards this cause also joined this time around. Being precise and careful when handling these terrapins are extremely stressed, so with Sharon’s thorough explanations through each step of processing the terrapins, they can be protected while also being provided with the utmost care. Volunteers were able to observe and try the necessary procedures that an actual assistant of Sharon would perform, which includes measuring the terrapins, sterilizing & preparing the syringe needed to insert a microchip into each terrapin, and taking note of any outstanding features that might suggest any abnormalities.
The emergence of the female terrapins on shore solely depends on the scheduled ocean tides. These terrapins would only come out a couple of hours prior or post high tide, therefore the volunteers today were not able to experience the verbal training hands on due to this minor inconvenience. However, hope still remains for the next time volunteers at AYLUS Syosset visit this preserve.
All members who participated include: Darren Gao (3h), Amanda Weng (3.5h), Kaedyn Mahoney (3.5h), Rachel Zhang (4h), Riley Lin (4h), Ryan Lin (4h), Brian Li (4h), Richard Li (4h)
