Herpetology

Sixteen sea turtles have so far been released back into their natural habitat after being treated at Turkey's first ever sea turtle medical center, in the Mezitli district of the southern province of Mersin.

Sea turtles are treated as an endangered species at the center, which is located in the 100th Year Davultepe forest in the district. 

Turkish Environment and Urban Planning Minister ?dris Güllüce has sought to assure concerned citizens that his institution will not sacrifice the idyllic beach of ?ztuzu, renowned for being one of the most important breeding areas for loggerhead turtles (caretta caretta), for "a few sunbeds."

Turkey?s Environment Ministry has given its full backing to the privatization of the protected Mediterranean beach of ?ztuzu, known as one of the most important breeding grounds for loggerhead turtles (caretta caretta), as protests against the move entered their second week.

The vigil against the privatization of the protected beach of Ä°ztuzu on the Mediterranean will enter its second week beginning on Jan. 6, with activists relying on each other to prevent the transfer of the right to run the recreational facilities at the site to the new holders.

With autumn comes the season of migration for loggerhead turtles, also known as caretta caretta, to leave the Turkish Mediterranean shores for the open seas

The promotion of big investments, particularly in Greece’s tourism industry, has kept environmental concerns on the back burner, the local branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said in a report released Monday, slamming the government for repeated violations of the environmental rulebook.

As sea turtle nesting season ends, 100,000 babies have reached the turquoise waters of Turkey's southern coast, a Turkish scientist has announced.

Six beaches in Mersin province saw more baby sea turtles compared to last year, Mersin University Deputy President Prof. Dr. Gürol Emekdaş said Sept. 6, according to Doğan News Agency.

A crocodile that has stumped authorities after appearing to be living in a dam in Crete earlier this summer is endemic to the Nile and is in good health, according to a French conservationist who specializes in the reptile and was brought in to help trap the animal.

In a bid to make local authorities take responsibility for the country’s overflowing landfills and illegal dumps, the government will henceforth pass any fines from the European Commission for violation of waste management regulations on to municipalities and regional governors.

The European Court of Justice has condemned Greece for violating waste management laws while also degrading the natural habitat of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) on the Ionian island of Zakynthos.