Caretta carettas start spawning on Turkey's İztuzu beach

Endangered caretta carettas have started spawning on İztuzu beach in the western province of Muğla's Ortaca district.
 
Caretta carettas leave their eggs in 50-60-centimeter-deep holes. The incubation period is nearly 50 days and then baby turtles reach the sea. 

The Sea Turtles Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) takes measures to prevent caretta carettas from having problems during this process, while the local Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University carries out beach protection and research works in the field.

Pamukkale University academic and DEKAMER director Professor Yakup Kaska said they carried out works every year on the beach for the protection of turtles with help from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. 

Kaska said caretta carettas' incubation period generally started in May. 

"We found that the first nest was on İztuzu beach in the Mediterranean. We have so far found two nests. Our teams started determining and protecting the nests," he added.

Kaska said a female caretta caretta could nest once in two weeks and between three-five times in a season, and the process continued until the end of September. 

He said that baby turtles started coming out in 50 days. 

"Our beaches are under protection between May and September. Each nest is surrounded by a cage on the beach so foxes and other animals cannot damage the eggs. We try to send the highest number of baby turtles to the sea," he said. 

Kaska also said they showed a sample model in the center to those who are curious about the nests of the sea turtles. 

"The center meets an important need of Turkey for the care of wounded caretta carettas. In the past, only nests and the turtles were protected but in...