The number of nests of the Karetta-Carethta turtles, which are at risk of disappearance, in the area of Belek and Kyzylot in Antalya reached 6 thousand
Kurtta-Karethta Cherents completed their journey from nests under the sand to the open sea.
On the coasts of the Belek and Kyzylot districts, work on “monitoring and protection of sea turtles”, which were implemented under the leadership of the associate professor of the University of Ecological Research (EKAD) Ali Fuat Dzhanbolata, was completed.
This year, 150 volunteers took part in this project, including 30 foreign volunteers from 15 countries.
On the beaches of Belek and Kyzylot, 3,500 nests were found in Belek and 2,500 nests on the Kyzylot Beach.
The turtles who came out of the eggs completed their complex journey and reached blue waters. The teams found that about 140 thousand turtles fell into Belyk in the sea, and in Kyzylot – about 75 thousand.
Ali Fuat Janbolat told AA correspondent that 60 percent of the nests of Karetta-Carethta turtles in Turkey are on the beaches of Antalya. He noted that 26 years have been underway in Belarusia, and in Kyzylot – 4 years.
“The process of nesting of adults begins in May and continues until August. The exit of the turtles will continue until the end of this month,” added Dzhanbolat. He also recalled that in Belek in 2021 a record was set by the number of nests – 3 850.
“This year we were not able to set a record for the number of nests, but we observe growth compared to last year. Last year there were 3,150 nests on two beaches. We have invested great efforts with 150 volunteers on two large beaches with a total length 56 kilometers and provided the meeting with more than 200 thousand sea turtles with blue waters, ”he said.
The project coordinator for the Kyzylot region from EKAD, biologist Fatih Polat, expressed the joy of helping the disappearing form.
Polat noted that thanks to many years of educational and information measures, it was possible to increase awareness about the need to protect Caretta Caretta turtles in the region.
“We observe an increase in the number of nests thanks to this awareness and climatic conditions. We will continue to protect the nests, since out of 1000 turtles only 1 or 2 reaches adults. These turtles return to the same beach for nesting after years. Protection of the nests and turtles critically Important to preserve the species, ”added Pulat.