The first hatchlings of Zakynthos on Sekania beach
Every year thousands of hatchlings are born on the beaches of Zakynthos, but only one in a thousand are estimated to survive and return as adult turtles 25 to 30 years later, on the same beach from where they were born.
When hatchlings emerge from their nests, it is very important that there are no lights on the back of the beach, because artificial lights cause disorientation, making it unlikely that the hatchlings will be able to make it to the sea. In addition, human presence on the beach at night is a great danger to hatchlings, due to trampling.
Turtles once coexisted with dinosaurs long before man appeared on earth. Unfortunately, today, turtles face many threats from mankind such as the degradation of nesting beaches, the impact of high-speed boats, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution etc. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) needs our help to continue to nest on the beaches, and to swim without danger in the sea.
For more information about the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and the work of ARCHELON, please visit the websites below:
National Marine Park of Zakynthos: www.nmp-zak.org ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Society of Greece: www.archelon.gr, Anna Lamaj, Zakynthos Program Coordinator, tel.: +30 6940454976
Zakynthos, 18/07/2016
Luc Hoffmann, the true guardian of nature, will be missed in Greece
Our excitement is doubled for the Peloponnese, as hatchlings emerge in Kyparissiakos Bay as well as Koroni
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