Eggs laid by a loggerhead turtle last month at Ramla Bay in Gozo, have been dug up and transferred to an incubation unit.

The Environment and Resources Authority said that late yesterday afternoon, as strong waves hit the coast at Ramla Bay, the turtle nest was put in imminent danger at risk of submersion.

The ERA said that following a vet’s recommendation, the eggs have now been transferred to an incubation unit, this was completed in a joint action between Nature Trust – FEE Malta and ERA.

A turtle had laid the nest around mid-July and volunteers have since been monitoring the site.

The NTM Wildlife Rescue Team thanked all the volunteers who contributed their free time for the patrolling phase, and then for the guarding phase once the nest was laid. “We appreciate every single minute given.’

They also thanked the Ministry for Gozo for providing the volunteers with security personnel and a canopy for shelter, and the Ministry for Gozo NGO funding scheme, “without which we wouldn’t have been able to purchase the equipment needed for the nest site,” the Wildlife Rescue Team said.

The team thanked the ERA for their support throughout the whole process, especially on Friday night. They also expressed their gratitude to the restaurant at the bay who supported and helped with whatever was needed.

“The weather was extremely unfavourable, with the nest completely submerged, but we all worked together as a team to try and save the nest and give the hatchlings a chance,” NTM said.

Photo: ERA

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