Nature Trust – FEE Malta said that three days ago, the first nest of the 2024 reason being the nest at Golden Sands, Malta, started hatching at around 1 am. 37 hatchlings emerged over the three nights and made it safely to the sea.

NTM advised that as is the protocol worldwide, the nest is left for three more nights in order to allow further hatchlings to come out on their own. The nest is then excavated to assess the number of eggs laid by the female loggerhead turtle, see which eggs were fertilised and which were not and to assist those that are found too tired to come out, which otherwise would end up dying of dehydration under the hot sand

In the presence of the competent authority – The Environment and Resource Authority – ERA and our Consultant Vet Dr Anthony Gruppetta, the nest was opened on Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm

NTM said that the nest was found to be 50cm deep. It contained 68 eggs. Of these 44 eggs hatched successfully with 7 being found still in the nest, too tired to come out. 23 Eggs were found to be unfertilised and 1 partially hatched but had died in the process under the sand.

The seven rescued hatchlings were released after being rehabilitated and given the ok by the Vet on site.

Nature Trust thanked the hundreds of volunteers helping them in the nest monitoring programme, ERA and MRU Officials and the general public responding to advice around the next sites during nesting and hatching periods.

“We now look forward to the rest of the nests to hatch,” said NTM.

Photos: NTM

Permalink: 37 turtle hatchlings confirmed from first nest of 2024 at Golden Sands