"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

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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