KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

3. PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE BOTTOM OR SIDES OF THE LAKE OR THE ORGANISMS
GROWING THERE.
The absence of strong water currents means the vast majority of organisms in the lake
are very loosely attached to the roots, rock, algae, etc. on which they live and can easily
be dislodged by even the most careful swimmer. In the case of the introduced sea
anemone, dislodgement will assist its spread to unaffected areas of the lake.
Similarly, limited water flow results in the accumulation of large amounts of very light
sediment on the bottom. Again, even the most careful swimmer can easily kick up large
amounts of sediment, which can resettle to smother organisms.
4. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN DIRECTLY BEFORE ENTERING THE LAKE. If possible
encourage the use of sun-proof clothing.
It is possible that sunscreen could accumulate in the lake through time. The ultimate
effects of this are unknown. Please advise guests to apply sunscreen at least a half-hour
before they enter the lake, providing time for excess material to come off. Encourage
them to use waterproof sunscreen. An even better alternative is to encourage them to
wear sun-proof clothing instead of sunscreen.
5. PLEASE HELP YOUR GUESTS ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THAT OF OTHERS BY
ENCOURAGING THEM TO KEEP THEIR VOICES DOWN ALONG THE TRAIL AND IN THE WATER.
Quiet visitors are likely to see much more than just jellyfish during their visit to the lake.
A variety of birds, including bush warblers, the Nicobar pigeon, biib, fruit dove, fan tails,
and the endemic megapode, can be seen along the trail as well as some of the island’s
tiny reptiles – the delicate blue tailed skink, the larger green tree skink, and the long
skinny racer and Palau boa snakes. On rainy days the tiny (6cm long) native frog may
be spotted crossing the trail. Even if you don’t see it, you will hear it. Often mistaken for
calling crickets, this tiny amphibian is the true source of the ubiquitous background
chorus of the jungle.
Avian life over and in the lake is also diverse and animated. Spectacular blue collared
kingfishers sit stately and still upon mangrove branches extending over the lake,
occasionally breaking their trance to call and trace trademark chord-like paths between
branches along the shore. Pied cormorants sit silent and motionless on mangrove
branches along the edge of the lake, periodically taking to the water to dive for small
prey living on the bottom. At times white tailed tropicbirds and fairy terns monopolize the
sky over the lake and jungle socializing and intermittently plunging from the sky after the
loosely schooled silverside fish that dart among the jellies. Occasionally a large, solitary
fruit bat takes to sky above the jungle moving among roosts in the canopy.
6. PLEASE USE THE FACILITIES LOCATED AT THE TRAIL HEAD.
7. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE ON THE TRAIL OR DOCKS.
8. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO TAKE ALL LITTER WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE.
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