The first loggerhead sea turtle nest for 2019 in Zakynthos!
The first loggerhead sea turtle nest for 2019 in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos was spotted by the volunteers of ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece on Saturday May 25 on the beach of Gerakas in Laganas bay.
Each spring, a large number of loggerhead sea turtles (Latin name: Caretta caretta) travel from various parts of the Mediterranean Sea to Laganas bay, Zakynthos, the nesting habitat that is known over the years to host the largest number of nests in the Mediterranean. The adult females, which were born there many years ago, return to its blue waters (a repatriation behavior), to mate and prepare for reproduction.
The beach of Gerakas is a Nature Protection Area of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, same as the beaches of Kalamaki, Dafni and Marathonissi. Sekania beach is an area of Absolute Protection in the Marine Park, because it has an exceptionally high sea turtle nesting density.
Scientific data on the sea turtle life cycle during nesting, hatching and nest excavation periods, as well as data on the natural characteristics of the nesting beaches and socio-economic data in the area of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos are collected by ARCHELON and the Marine Park Management Authority.
The recording of the first sea turtle nest in Zakynthos for 2019, besides bringing joyful emotions to all of us, points to the need of attention from both visitors and businesses active on the nesting beaches and the marine area of the Park.
Information:
National Marine Park of Zakynthos: http://www.nmp-zak.org/
ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece: www.archelon.gr
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