Turtle Johanna’s third nest at Ramla l-Hamra started hatching on Monday night, with around 35 hatchlings making it to the sea on a perfect calm and starry night, said Wildlife Rescue Team Malta.

Volunteers from Nature Trust – FEE Malta – Gozo Section noticed that over the last few days, Johanna’s nest had been showing signs that the pipping and hatching process had started.

Then at around 11:30pm, the first hatchling came rushing out on her own, with the rest of the group emerging after 1.5 hours.

Johanna’s last nest was laid on Tuesday, the 15th of July, with the hatching happening in the late hours of Day 49. This nest will also continue to be monitored for the coming nights.

Johanna’s first nest, which was laid on the 18th of June, started hatching on the 7th of August, with 26 hatchlings recorded. Her second nest started hatching during the evening of the 14th of August and a total of 65 eggs successfully hatched and made it to the sea.

The final nest to hatch at Ramla should be from Turtle Angela, who laid her nest on the 28th of July.

Wildlife Rescue Team Malta and Nature Trust – FEE Malta – Gozo Section thanked all the volunteers on duty, as well as ERA – Environment & Resources Authority officials for their help during the hatching process.

They said that if you visit the nest site:

Don’t make any loud noises

Don’t use bright lights near the nest

Follow instructions from onsite volunteers

Photo and video: ERA

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