Volunteer With Us
Work With Us
The Most Sustainable T-Shirt Ever Made? Buy Now!
Sea Turtle Stories – A Podcast Series from ORP
Sea turtles, one of the most ancient species of our world have truly stood the test of time. They have seen human civilisations rise and fall, inspired ocean deities across cultures, and baffled scientists with their unique instincts – one of which is a hatchling’s impulse to orient itself in the direction of the sea, straight from its nest.
In an effort to uncover the mysterious lives of these sea creatures, we bring you our podcast series on all things sea turtle. Join us as we dive into conversations with experts from around the world, simplifying complexities of sea turtle science, culture, and conservation.
About Olive Ridley Project :
The Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013, registered in England & Wales, Maldives and Kenya, is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and education and outreach.
Headquartered in the UK, we currently operate in Kenya, Maldives, Pakistan, Oman and Seychelles, where we are supported by a passionate and dedicated team of
scientists, veterinarians, conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers.
For more information, visit us at oliveridleyproject.org, or for queries write to us at info@oliveridleyproject.org.
“There is no such thing as a sea turtle expert!” Dr. Kartik chuckles, recalling veteran biologist Dr. Jack Frazier’s words. “Sea turtles will always find a way to do something that baffles you.”
Although lighthearted, Dr Kartik’s remark speaks to his instinctive curiosity and ever-evolving understanding of sea turtles.
A leading scientist and sea turtle conservationist from India, Dr Kartik Shanker is a strong advocate for decolonising sea turtle conservation and embracing more pluralistic ways of engaging with nature – a notion that he weaves throughout this candid conversation.
Part one of this bonus episode begins with Dr Kartik exploring the enduring mysteries of arribada (mass nesting events that continue to baffle researchers). But the discussion soon takes a deeper turn, examining how conservation practice often prioritises visible, emotionally charged threats while overlooking the more complex, intangible challenges facing sea turtles.
The conversation on conservation conundrums continues in part two of the episode, where Dr. Kartik confronts one of the most side-stepped topics in sea turtle conservation: the consumptive use of sea turtles. He critiques the dominant philosophy of protectionism, questioning its unintended consequences and urging the conservation community to reconsider its approach.
This episode goes beyond sea turtles, it tackles the larger idea of how we perceive our relationship with nature and the very practice of conservation itself. So tune in now for a conversation that challenges the status quo and raises some tough questions.
Further Reading, Sources & References:
- Shanker, K., Pandav, B., & Choudhury, B. C. (2004). An assessment of the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) nesting population in Orissa, India. Biological Conservation.
- Shanker, K. (2015). From soup to superstar. HarperCollins Publishers India
- R, H. (2021). The conservation paradox: Missing the meadows for the green turtles. RoundGlass Sustain.
- Sardeshpande, M., & MacMillan, D. (2018). Sea turtles support sustainable livelihoods at Ostional, Costa Rica. Cambridge University Press.
- Brockington, D. (2002). Fortress conservation: The preservation of the Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania (Vol. 13). James Currey.
- Kartel Shockington: Kartel Shockington is a failed comic book creation with special powers of rapid hair loss. He sometimes appears as Kartik Shanker, and at other times as Dan Brockington
- Shanker, K., Early Capistrán, M. M., Urteaga, J., Mohd Jani, J., Barrios-Garrido, H., & Wallace, B. P. (2023). Decolonizing sea turtle conservation. SWOT Report Vol 18.
- Dakshin Foundation: An Indian not-for-profit, charitable, non-governmental organisation committed to environmental sustainability and social justice.
To support Olive Ridley Project’s work in sea turtle conservation, you can – Name and Adopt a wild sea turtle, Adopt a turtle patient or Donate here: https://oliveridleyproject.org/donate
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tiktok and Youtube
Credits:
Sea Turtle Stories podcast is presented by Olive Ridley Project
The host for the podcast series is Dr Minnie Liddell
The podcast is edited, mixed and mastered by Dev Ramkumar
The podcast series is produced and researched by Anadya Singh
What to do If you Find an Entangled Sea Turtle
If you find an injured or sick sea turtle in the Maldives, please contact our veterinary team:
Call/WhatsApp/Viber 955 2205
Read our sea turtle emergency guide
Free online Courses
e-Turtle School – All About Sea Turtles
Everything you have ever wanted to know about sea turtles, from evolution to conservation. Suitable for all sea turtles lovers and those who want to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Sea Turtle Science & Conservation
Deep dive into sea turtle science and conservation. Suitable for budding conservationists and those with an interest in the science surrounding turtles, their biology and conservation.
