Later this month and at the beginning of May, the caretta caretta, one of the most endangered sea turtles will be laying their eggs in empty beaches.
Due to the present coronavirus situation there are no significant threats due to the lack of tourists, no sun beds on the beach, and campers who set up tents and light fires.
In the Aegean provinces of Mugla and the Mediterranean provinces of Antalya, Mersin, Adana, and Hatay there are 21 nesting spots.
Mugla’s famous Iztuzu beach is an important nesting area for these turtles and usually tourists could only use the beach from 8am to 8pm.
Ladies Beach in Kusadasi often has areas roped off to protect the species. The turtles build a 20 to 24 inch nest and after an approximately 50 day incubation period the hatchlings try to reach the sea by following the light of the moon.
Unfortunately artificial light can confuse them which in turn make them lose their way and die.
