Westbury, New York area resident Valerie Varnuska enjoys diverse personal interests, including cooking and performing arts. Valerie Varnuska spends time walking outdoors and learning about nature. ScienceDaily recently reported on a nature-related research study completed by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment and the University of Exeter on sea turtle populations in the Cayman Islands. The study, which took place from 1998 to 2019, showed that loggerhead and green turtle populations, which were nearing extinction at the start of the research initiative, are now growing. The number of loggerhead and green turtles on the islands has increased due to captive breeding programs and strategies that help protect the turtles. For example, illegal turtle hunting was reduced due to conservation officers patrolling nesting beaches, and restrictions were implemented to prevent the activities of a turtle fishery. Loggerhead and green turtle populations are still lower than normal compared to historical records indicating the number of animals in the islands. Prior to the early 1800s, the Cayman Islands were home to the largest number of nesting sea turtles in the world.

1. Valerie Varnuska

2. Westbury, New York area resident Valerie Varnuska
enjoys diverse personal interests, including cooking
and performing arts. Valerie Varnuska spends time
walking outdoors and learning about nature.

3. ScienceDaily recently reported on a nature-related
research study completed by the Cayman Islands
Department of Environment and the University of
Exeter on sea turtle populations in the Cayman Islands.
The study, which took place from 1998 to 2019,
showed that loggerhead and green turtle populations,
which were nearing extinction at the start of the
research initiative, are now growing.

4. The number of loggerhead and green turtles on the
islands has increased due to captive breeding
programs and strategies that help protect the turtles.
For example, illegal turtle hunting was reduced due to
conservation officers patrolling nesting beaches, and
restrictions were implemented to prevent the activities
of a turtle fishery.

5. Loggerhead and green turtle populations are still lower
than normal compared to historical records indicating
the number of animals in the islands. Prior to the early
1800s, the Cayman Islands were home to the largest
number of nesting sea turtles in the world.