Extremely Rare Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Suspends Sand Sifting At Gozo’s Ramla Bay
Seventy years. That’s how long it’s been since a loggerhead sea turtle laid eggs in Gozo. Following the rare event going down last Friday night on Ramla Bay, the beach’s sand sifting that was planned to go down this week has now been suspended.
Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri confirmed the decision earlier today, saying the ministry has been surveilling the beach night and day and even appealing to visitors to keep their distance from the nesting site.
This week’s sand sifting would’ve cleaned the beach’s sand from cigarette butts and plastic, but has now been suspended since it would have an adverse effect on the extremely rare nest.
To add to the site’s importance, Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia confirmed that it has been placed under an Emergency Conservation Order.
Loggerhead sea turtles are a globally protected species under the Endangered Species Act.
In danger of extinction, the species has some nine different populations around the world that are listed as endangered or threatened under the Act.
Tag someone who loves turtles
READ NEXT: Green Is Supreme! Here's How Malta Is Preparing For World Environment Day
