Wondrous Worlds

Never before have I seen a hawksbill turtle alive. That day, it was swimming around in a small river that flows into the Mediterranean, comfortably eating seaweed.

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a species of sea turtle that is best known for its impressive size and its important role in the ecosystem. With a shell length of up to 120 centimetres and a weight of over 100 kilograms, it is one of the larger sea turtle species.

Patara Beach on the Turkish Mediterranean coast is an important nesting site for this endangered species. The females lay their eggs there between May and September, coming to the beach at night to dig their nests in the sand. Each nest can contain up to 120 eggs, from which the young hatch after around two months.

The protection of the loggerhead turtle is a top priority in Patara. To safeguard their population, measures such as night-time light restrictions and controlled beach access are implemented. These protective measures are essential, as the turtles are exposed to numerous threats such as habitat loss, plastic pollution and bycatch from fishing. | Turkey