FindingaPartner
Williams-Guillénneededtotesthernewtool.Shefoundapartner.ScientistHelenPheaseywaswillingtohidefakeeggsinturtle nests.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978074/partner.480_0_1.jpg)
APasoPacificoturtlerangercollectsturtleeggsforsafekeeping nearby.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978079/new_idea4.640_0_1.jpg)
Thefakeeggsworked!Theyfooledthepoachers.Thetrackersshowedwherethey went.
Thisisjustthebeginning.Usingmorefakeeggsisthenextstep.Withmoredata,shecanmakeamaptoshowwheretheeggsaretraded.Thismighthelptocatchpoachers.Thismightprotectsea turtles.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978076/baby.640_0_1.jpg)
Protectingseaturtlesalsoprotectstheenvironment.Healthyoceansneedsea turtles.
Seaturtlesareanimportantpartofahealthymarineecosystem.Yet,Nicaraguahasseenadeclineinsea turtles.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978069/turtle_slider_1.480_0_1.jpg)
greenseaturtle
Status: Endangered
Manygreenseaturtlesarecaughtfor food.
Seaturtlesareanimportantpartofahealthymarineecosystem.Yet,Nicaraguahasseenadeclineinsea turtles.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978070/turtle_slider_2.480_0_1.jpg)
hawksbillseaturtle
Status:Critically Endangered
Thisturtle’sshellisoftenusedtomake souvenirs.
Seaturtlesareanimportantpartofahealthymarineecosystem.Yet,Nicaraguahasseenadeclineinsea turtles.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978071/turtle_slider_3.480_0_1.jpg)
leatherbackseaturtle
Status:Critically Endangered
Thisseaturtleisthelargestseaturtleon Earth.
Seaturtlesareanimportantpartofahealthymarineecosystem.Yet,Nicaraguahasseenadeclineinsea turtles.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_january_february_2020_to_catch_a_thief/finding_a_partner_and_what_comes_next/978072/turtle_slider_4.480_0_1.jpg)
oliveridleyseaturtle
Status: Vulnerable
Manyoftheseseaturtlescanbefound,yettheyarestill endangered.
Thefakeeggsarehardto spot.