Staff at Daydream Island and Living Reef are elated with the arrival of turtle hatchlings, who bravely made their way to sea late last month, marking the first time in eight years this endangered species has returned to this location for nesting.
The Flatback turtle nest was discovered on Daydream Island by a security guard on Friday 3rd December last year and, by chance, the same security guard was the first to see two turtle hatchlings making their way down to the water on Thursday 20th January at around 2pm.
He soon alerted the marine biology team who attended the nest and watched patiently as more hatchlings tried to find their way out.
After several hours, however, they grew concerned that the turtles were struggling and would eventually weaken, so they decided to carefully investigate the area.
“While the nest was incubating, we had a few very high tides and a lot of coral rubble and debris had been deposited over the nest,” said Living Reef Manager Amelia Keynes.
“So, we decided to carefully clear some of this, and five hatchlings immediately burst through the surface and ran for the water.”
During the course of 30 minutes, the team watched a total of seven hatchlings race across the shingly beach into the wet world that awaited them.
Several days after the hatchlings emerged, when they were sure the hatching was complete, the Living Reef team returned to the site to gather information on the nest itself.
They discovered that a total of 21 eggs had hatched out of the 63 present, with many of the eggs not developed at all which is quite common.
Sadly, it is estimated that out of those that do make it to the sea, only one in 1000 turtles reach breeding age due to marine life predators.
This event, however, does mark an important milestone for the natural environment on Daydream Island.
“It is very exciting and promising and hopefully the mother comes back again in years to come,” said Amelia Keynes.
“It feels amazing to know that Daydream Island is important in the circle of life for this mother flatback turtle and now her new hatchlings too and it was incredible to see it in action.”
The Flatback turtle hatchlings making their way to sea
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