Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R. Swinburne (review)

The small Caribbean island of St. Kitts is home base for a population of endangered leatherback sea turtles, and for Dr. Kimberly Scott, the veterinarian who studies and advocates for them. As part of WIDECAST, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network, Scott works both with the turtles and the human inhabitants of St. Kitts, creating awareness of the sea turtles with young Kittitians and forming alliances with the fishermen while promoting alternative income streams for those who had relied on sea turtle fishing for their livelihood. There’s plenty of information here about various sea turtles and the way they’re being affected by environmental changes, and the “ridealong” descriptions of Scott and her companions’ attendance at egg-layings and hatchings are particularly involving. Readers familiar with Turner’s Project Seahorse (BCCB 9/10) will recognize many of the issues in preserving a marine species while economically preserving its human neighbors; the photos here are not overall as impressive as the sea horse gallery, but the occasional closeup of a venerable-looking turtle mother or a scuttling wee hatchling is still compelling. Neophytes to this classic series who thought science was always conducted in old buildings on lab benches will be delighted to find it can take place in an island paradise. End matter includes a glossary, information about “adopting” a sea turtle, lists of websites and books, and an index.