🐢 Loggerhead turtle saved from perilous man-made trap

A female loggerhead turtle, an endangered species, was rescued from a man-made groyne where she had become trapped while trying to nest on a beach. The incident underscores the dangers posed by man-made structures on nesting beaches for these creatures. The turtle was trapped in the Beach Bay area, an active nesting beach where developers have received planning permission for a hotel that will include more man-made structures near the coast, thereby increasing the risk to these marine animals. 🏖️

Loggerhead nesting season is currently underway, with green sea turtles expected to start nesting in the coming weeks. However, the increasing number of threats faced by these animals as they return to the beach to lay their eggs and for the hatchlings once they emerge is concerning. The rescued turtle had attempted to nest on the beach but ended up in the sea along the concrete pathway, eventually getting wedged in a crevice in the groyne. This incident highlights the importance of taking turtle nesting and other environmental considerations into account during the design phase of proposed developments. 🐢

The Department of Environment urges the public to call the 24-hour Turtle Hotline at 938-NEST (938-6378) if they see a sea turtle in danger. 📞