Nature Trust (Malta) said in an update on the turtle nest site, that so far the Volunteers together with MEPA Officials and MRRA Officials have been keeping a close eye on the nest. The fence around the nest has been lowered to prevent shading on the nest.

Volunteers are also keeping an eye out for predators such as rats etc. NTM once again thanks all volunteers who everyday go to the site to watch over the nest.

Temperature and humidity are two parameters that can influence incubation time, hatching success, hatchling size and sex ratio. Marine turtles are subject to environmental sex determination, which means that the gender of hatchlings will be largely determined by the temperature of the sand surrounding them. Warmer temperatures produce females, males develop in cooler temperatures, and a temperature/s in between (can vary between species) produces both males and females.

The core team is now monitoring temperature and humidity of the nest and surrounding environment in order to obtain as much data as possible. Equipment has been provided by the San Lucjan Centre.

In the meantime other volunteers are monitoring other sandy beaches to check if other turtles have come up to nest on these

NTM is now preparing an information leaflet on the life cycle of the marine turtle and the problem it faces in out waters. This will also promote the adopt a turtle campaign which is aiding in collecting funds for the wildlife rehab centre project at Xrobb l-Ghagin which is supported by Air Malta. This leafet will be distributed on the beach to interested beach visitors.

NTM is also developing T-shirts and badges to make it easier to identify the volunteers, you will soon see them fully kitted up on the beach. Also in development is a calender of educational events for children on the beach. Watch this space!

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