Watch: Tiny Flippers Hit The Sand- Ġnejna Welcomes First Turtle Hatchlings Of The Season
The first turtle nest of the season started hatching earlier this morning in Ġnejna.
The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) announced the happy news on its social media saying “we are pleased to announce that the first nest found this summer in Ġnejna has started to hatch, with 26 hatchlings in the first night!”
This nest was laid on Monday 9th June and the hatching took place 50 days after.
Wildlife Rescue Team Malta said that its volunteers observed the official sign that the hatchlings for Nest 1 were about to emerge just past 10pm and the 26 hatchlings made their way to the sea over a period of five hours.
“We had signs over the past few days that the pipping process had started, however this can take up to 7 days until the hatchlings complete the whole process, and therefore it’s not always obvious when the exact hatching day will be,” wrote Wildlife Rescue Team Malta.
ERA went on to remind everyone visiting the beaches to take care of the nests and to respect the rules of the site. Lights and noise should be kept low near the nesting areas.
ERA thanked Wildlife Rescue Team Malta, Nature Trust and Sostenibilità for their work.
Wildlife Rescue Team Malta wrote that footage was taken using an infrared camera which converts everything to black and white. Only red light was used. No white light/flash is used during hatching.
Have you ever witnessed turtles hatching?
Credit: Wildlife Rescue Team Malta and Hayley Acreman
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