British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) - Ascension Island Wildlife

Probably the most famous of the Ascension wildlife is the Green Turtle or Chelonia Mydas which swims from Brazil to the Islands sandy beaches to lay its eggs every November to May. During its 1000 mile journey the turtle fasts. Mating off shore the female clambers up the beach to dig her hole and lay up to 120 eggs at one time. The turtle visits the beach up to 10 times over a 17-day period. When these hatch the young make their way instinctively to the sea where a variety of predators means that few will survive. The Turtles once provided fresh meat for the sailors and a good source of income for the Island. Today they are a protected species.

The only indigenous inhabitants of the Island are the land crabs and the seabirds. The land crabs are most prolific around the foot of Green Mountain and the old NASA site. They are purple and orange and despite living on the land return to the seashore to lay their eggs.

The sea birds have all but left the Island. Ships inadvertently introduced rats and mice. In a bid to exterminate them the cat was introduced. They found the birds much easier prey and drove them onto the hard to reach cliffs and shacks off the
coast.
Donkeys and sheep introduced by the early farmers for labour and food have since been allowed to roam free causing an unusual traffic hazard, particularly after rain when they stand in the road to drink from the puddles.