Turtle Hatching in North Cyprus
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A Nest Being Excavated |
During May to August, the Green and Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on
north Cyprus beaches. Around 50 days later, the turtles start to hatch.
The peak season for hatching being August and September.
Of the seven species of turtle worldwide, only the Green turtle (Chelonia
mydas), and the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) breed in the
Mediterranean. Both are classified as endangered species.
Both species are around the same size when they first hatch, even though
the Green turtles grow much larger than the Loggerheads in later life.
Their shells are around 4cm long and 3cm wide, and they weigh about 15g.
The turtles only emerge from the nest after the sun has gone down to
avoid predators, and so they don’t dry out on their way to the sea.
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Eggs Being Uncovered |
The turtles tend to hatch together, as the eggs are sensitive to
movement, so the first turtle hatching triggers the others in a chain
reaction. Once they have climbed to the surface, they all rush together
for the brightest point, which is normally the moon reflecting off the
sea. Unfortunately, if there are stronger lights away from the sea,
that’s the direction, they go in.
Once heading in the right direction, however, they still have many
hurdles to overcome on their way. Dogs and foxes enjoy a meal of baby
turtle. They have rubbish and steep-sided vehicle tracks to overcome.
They are attacked by gulls and crabs, and have to overcome careless
humans walking on them. Once at sea they have to face sharks,
speedboats, fishing lines and nets. It’s little wonder that it is
estimated only around 1 in 1000 reach adulthood.
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A Helping Hand |
Not all beaches are monitored, and it is important that if you spot some
hatchlings heading for the sea you don’t give them a hand, as it is
essential that they find their own way.
Having reached the sea, they head a few kilometres offshore before
starting to feed. At this stage, both turtles are omnivorous, although
an adult Green Turtle is herbivorous.
Since 1992 the Marine Turtle Research Group has been monitoring nesting
turtles in North Cyprus. Although all beaches are checked where
possible, the main centre is at Alagadi beach, just a few miles east of
Kyrenia, in a building known throught the island as “The Goat Shed”
where visitors can come and learn a little more about the turtles.
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Green Turtle Hatchling |
Coordinated by a
group based at
Exeter University, up to 30 students from all over the UK, pay their
own way to come to North Cyprus to help conserve the turtles and monitor
their behaviour. The teams of volunteers attempt to increase the
survival rate of the turtle’s nests, and therefore the hatchlings.
Monitoring hatching is more reliable than nesting, as the hatching date
can be calculated based on the nesting date. When the students spot that
some of the hatchlings have surfaced, they start to monitor the nest.
Once the hatchlings have emerged, the nest is excavated. This means
digging it up and getting any remaining hatchlings out. They are counted
and recorded, and placed in a bucket with wet sand and covered with a
wet cloth to keep them cool. They are then taken back to the goat shed
to be weighed and measured, before being released to make their way to
the sea.
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Rush for the Sea |
Public excavations take place most days, with the exception of Sundays, at approximately
6pm, with
visitors wanting to observe, gathering at the goat shed. During these
public excavations, visitors can watch hatchlings coming out of their
nests, as well as see them entering the water. This is one of the most
breathtaking and rare sights in nature. One which very few people have
witnessed, and it is well worth a visit.
If you wish to witness a hatching, call in at the Goat Shed to see if an
excavation is programmed for that day. Please do this in the afternoon,
as the students will be catching up on their sleep after their night
shift.
Alagadi beach is 15Km east of Kyrenia on the Esentepe road. Shortly
after the electricity station, where the road starts to sweep down into
a valley, you will see the turning for Alagadi. Follow this road till
you reach the fork in the road with the St Kathleen’s Restaurant. Take
the right fork and follow the road to where it becomes a dirt track. The
goat shed is on your right, just after joining the track. It is
a white single-story building with the painting of a turtle on the side.
To find out more about the Green and
Loggerhead turtles in north Cyprus, about their
nesting, or to
read a volunteer's diary, follow the links.
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