Record-breaking sea turtle nests, giant caretta caretta tracks in Türkiye

This year marks a significant milestone for the conservation of caretta caretta sea turtles in Alanya, Türkiye.

Guldene Sahin, who is a dedicated environmentalist, reports an unprecedented number of nests on the Yesiloz and Ugrak beaches, surpassing the previous year’s count by more than double.

Sahin has been volunteering to protect these endangered species for 18 years and has so far identified 287 nests in the 1.9-mile (3.05-kilometer) stretch of the beaches. She anticipates that the number could exceed 600 by the end of the nesting season.

Increased caretta caretta nesting activity in Alanya

Caretta carettas, or loggerhead sea turtles, arrive on the Alanya coast between April 1 and Oct. 1 to lay their eggs. The eggs then hatch in July, August and September, with the hatchlings making their way to the sea.

This year, the nesting activity has been exceptionally high, with nests already doubling compared to the previous year. Sahin begins her day at 5:00 a.m., patrolling the beaches for turtle tracks and protecting nests by marking and fencing them off.

However, the biggest threat to these nests comes from human activities. Despite the area being a designated protected site, beachgoers often set up umbrellas and sunbeds and even make barbecues on the sand, sometimes using the protective cages for the nests as grills.

“The biggest enemies of carettas are humans. It is very difficult to educate people. Many times we face threats and insults,” says Sahin.

Threats to caretta caretta nests

In addition to human interference, the nests are also threatened by animals such as stray dogs, foxes, weasels, eagles, crows and even crabs. These predators are attracted to the smell of the hatchlings, often resulting in a significant loss of young turtles before they reach the sea.

Sahin also stresses the logistical challenges in protecting the nests. The number of nests has increased so much that the provided protective cages are insufficient.

Additionally, some cages are stolen by scrap collectors, making it harder to safeguard the nests. Sahin has been improvising by using reeds from nearby marshes to fence off the nests.

Giant sea turtle observed in Türkiye

One remarkable observation by Sahin this year was encountering the largest caretta caretta track she has ever seen, suggesting the presence of a massive turtle possibly between 70 to 80 years old.

“This must be a giant green sea turtle. It is an incredible sight,” she remarked.

The dedicated efforts of Guldene Sahin and other volunteers are crucial in ensuring the survival of the caretta carettas. The work they do not only helps protect these endangered turtles but also promotes awareness and education about the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

The local Nature Conservation Branch also provides support, but as Sahin noted: “We need to put in a lot of effort to prevent the extinction of our natural treasures.”

Türkiye’s efforts to protect the caretta carettas are part of its commitment to various international agreements. “In 2009, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry issued a directive to protect caretta carettas. This coastal strip is now under protection,” Sahin explained.