Nesting ecology of Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on Utila, Honduras

Click here to open her Thesis (pdf)

Publications:

Damazo, L. E. and Dunbar, S.G. First account and description of a Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting beach in Carribean Honduras. 34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. 10-17 April, 2014. New Orleans, LA. Poster PDF here.

Damazo, L. E. and Dunbar, S.G. Incubation temperature effects from metabolic heat and thermal inertia in Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests on Utila, Honduras. 34th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. 10-17 April, 2014. New Orleans, LA.

Tan, A.L., Dunbar, S.G., Baumbach, D., Cunningham, A., Damazo, L.E., Reeve, R.E., Lindsay, K., and Salinas, L. 700 Hours on Nesting Beaches: ProTECTOR Volunteering Efforts in Honduras. 33rd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. 2-8 February, 2013. Baltimore, MD

Baumbach, D.S., Reeve, R.E., Damazo, L.E., Dunbar, S.G., Tan, A.L., Cunningham, A., Randazzo, A., and Salinas, L. Profiles of Protected Area Nesting Beaches at Pumpkin Hill and Cuero Y Salado Wildlife Refuge, Honduras. 33rd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. 2-8 February, 2013. Baltimore, MD

Damazo, L.E., and Dunbar, S.G. Tracking Nesting Hawksbills "Chel" and "Ginger" from the Bay Islands, Honduras. 33rd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. 2-8 February, 2013. Baltimore, MD

Lindsey was an MS student who worked on sea turtle research in Honduras.

Her work is an important contribution to the work of ProTECTOR. She was involved with education outreach and local community capacity-building in regards to new conservation measures for all sea turtle species found in Honduras.

Lindsey Damazo surveying foliage on a nesting beach in Utila.	Amy Tan and Robyn Reeve help Lindsey survey the nesting beach.
A hawksbill turtle nesting on the beach in Utila.	During her research Lindsey was able to witness and assess several hawksbill turtles laying eggs.
Lindsey threading the needle with a quad. This is the entryway to the apartment where our study teams usually stay.	A hawksbill hatchling crawling over the pollution on its way towards the water. Observations of hatchlings and beach plastic pollution during this study has generated other studies on the impacts of pollution on hatchlings.
A close up of a hawksbill hatchling.	Gene, Lindsey, and Robyn excevating a nest and measuring hatchlings.
Lindsey providing information on her research projects during a seminar at BICA.	Lindsey giving details on her research projects.
Lindsey taking pictures of the foliage on the beach she surveyed.	A portion of the beach for which Lindsey calculated the slope.
As part of her project Lindsey applies both flipper tags and satellite transmitters to some of the nesting hawksbills on this beach.	Surveying the beach to calculate its slope and vegetation densities and species.
Lindsey surveying the beach for slope measurements.	Recently emerged hatchlings heading from the nest to the sea.
A close up of a recently emerged hatchling.	Lindsey demonstrating just how dense the vegetation can be.
Measuring carapace width of hatchlings was another important aspect of Lindsey's research work.	Robyn Reeve stretching to hold the surveying tool in place.

Lindsey produced a small video for the Marine Biology class.

Killer Whales in Captivity

Photo: S.G. Dunbar