A total of 81 turtles have successfully hatched from the third nest of 2024 at Ramla Bay, Gozo. There were 88 eggs in the nest, all but 12 hatched.

Wildlife Rescue Team Malta explained that out of these, 6 were not fertilised. Out of the 82 that were fertilised, 1 was found deceased in the nest, probably due to trampling by the other hatchlings during the hatching process.

69 hatchlings hatched in the previous nights and 12 were found still alive but trapped during the inspection. Out of these 12, 11 were released immediately and 1 has been taken into rehabilitation at Xrobb L-Ghagin Nature Park and Wildlife Rehab Centre under vet Dr Gruppetta’s care due to a deformed flipper.

From the total nest there was a 92% hatch rate. Out of the fertilised eggs, 99% hatched.

The Team said that “none of this work would be possible without the over 300 volunteers between Malta and Gozo, who monitor the nests day and night.

The turtles started to hatch on Wednesday in the middle of a thunderstorm, 68 hatchlings then made it safely to the sea that night.

This nest was discovered on the 13th of July Ramla Bay after the turtle had tried nesting a couple of nights before without success.

After the initial hatchings, the nest was monitored for the next few nights before being carefully opened by the team from ERA, Nature Trust – FEE Malta, and a dedicated vet to see how many hatchlings made their way into the world.

The ERA said that “as these little turtles make their way out to sea, we’re asking everyone to be extra careful around the nesting sites, keeping noise to a minimum and avoid using lights or flash photography, particularly if the nest is hatching.”

The Authority expressed its thanks to the public and volunteers for their assistance during the season.

Photos: ERA

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