UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM
Virtual Tours: British Virgin Islands
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Features of Natural Interest
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Features of Natural Interest

Turtles: The three species of sea turtles regularly found in the waters of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are the hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata, green Chelonia mydas and leatherback Dermochelys coriacea. These species were traditionally harvested. The leatherback was particularly valued. Locally it is called the "trunk" turtle. It was thought that trunk oil, rendered by boiling the carapace and other tissues of the animal, possessed remarkable curative powers, particularly for colds and asthma afflicting children.

Green turtle Chelonia mydas


© Dr Mike Pienkowski
(Features of Natural Interest, 7 of 8 - Slide ref. 523)