Lookingfor
aSolution
KimWilliams-Guillénisanecologist.She’salsothedirectorofconservationscienceforPasoPacífico.ThegroupprotectsbiodiversityinCentral America.
Sheknewseaturtleeggswerepoached.Butwheredidthepoachersgo?Whowasbuyingtheeggs?Howcouldshetrackthem?Whatifshecreatedafaketurtleeggwithatrackingdeviceinit?Ifitlookedreal,wouldpoachers notice?
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604820/boyan_slat_copy_2.720_0_1.jpg)
KimWilliams-Guillénholdsfaketurtleeggswithtrackers inside.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604855/.MVI_1345.mp4.640_0_1.jpg)
atime-lapsevideoofegg printing
ANewIdea
PasoPacíficosentthisideatotheWildlifeCrimeTechChallenge.Itwasselectedin2016asoneof16 winningideas.Theprizemoneywasusedtodevelopthefirstmodelofafake egg.
ArealseaturtleeggisaboutthesizeofaPing‑Pongball.Ithasasmalldentinitandisslightlysquishy.Togetthatrubberyfeel,sheneededtofindtherightsortof plastic.
Shetestedseveralandfoundtherightone.Sheuseda3-Dprinter.Thefakeeggwasclose,butitwasn’tquiteright.Inarealegg,theyolkalmostshinesthroughthe shell.
Williams-Guillénknewsheneededhelp.ShecontactedLaurenWilde,amakeupartistinLosAngeles.Wildetooktheprintedeggsandsandedthemtomakethemsmooth.Thensheputonpaintandgluetogettheright color.
Outside,thefakeeggslookalmostidenticaltorealones.ButinsideareelectronicsthatconnecttotheInternet.Theyshowthedateandtimethattheeggisatacertain location.
LaurenWildeexaminesoneofthefakeseaturtle eggs.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604825/new_ideas2.480_0_1.jpg)
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604823/new_ideas3.480_0_1.jpg)
MakeupartistLaurenWildeusespaintandglue.Thismakesthefakeeggslook real.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604828/new_idea4.640_0_1.jpg)
Thefakeeggsarehardto spot.
Theteamcanalsofigureouthowfasttheeggismoving.Thatmayhelpthemdeterminehowtheeggisbeingtransported.Onfoot?Bya vehicle?
Eachfakeeggcostsabout$40tomake.Williams-Guillénneededseveraltotestinthefield.Luckily,PasoPacíficowasawardedanotherprizetocontinuethe project.
Eachfakeeggweighsasmuchasarealegg.However,itisstuffedwithatracking device.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2020/looking_for_a_solution_and_a_new_idea/604858/brightcove_6104536298001.960_0_1.jpg)