Turtle Nesting Event
Tuy Phong, Vietnam (August 2, 2024) - A mother sea turtle crawled onto the sandy beach of Hon Cau Island in Tuy Phong district and laid 78 eggs before departing under the cover of darkness on August 1st.
The nest was discovered early on August 2nd by staff from the Hon Cau Marine Reserve and volunteer turtle protectors. They were conducting their routine island patrol after a night of heavy rain when they noticed turtle tracks leading from the water's edge to a disturbed area of sand near a cliff on Trà ng Dảo Beach.
Following the tracks, they uncovered a hole approximately 30 cm wide and half a meter deep. Inside, nestled together, was a clutch of white eggs.
The reserve staff and volunteers carefully collected the eggs and transported them to the hatching beach at the Hon Cau Island patrol station. The eggs were placed in a new nest and are now under strict protection, eagerly awaiting the hatching of the baby turtles.
**“Due to the heavy rain last night, we were unable to conduct our usual beach patrols, so we were not able to record the mother turtle's size or appearance,†said a member of the turtle protection team. **
First Nest of 2024
This marks the first turtle nest of 2024 at Hon Cau Island.
In previous years, the island has witnessed numerous sea turtle nesting events, with eggs being transported to protected hatching beaches and guarded by staff and volunteers. Many nests have successfully hatched, releasing young turtles back into the ocean to support biodiversity.
Hon Cau Marine Reserve
The Hon Cau Marine Reserve, spanning 12,500 hectares in Tuy Phong district, is a provincial-level species and habitat conservation area. It focuses on the protection of marine resources, biodiversity, and the habitats of various marine species. The reserve also works to protect the environment, promote sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and ensure the sustainable management and use of marine resources.
Summary
A mother sea turtle laid 78 eggs on Hon Cau Island in Tuy Phong district, Vietnam, marking the first turtle nesting event of 2024. The eggs were collected and moved to a safe hatching site at the Hon Cau Marine Reserve, where they will be protected until they hatch. This event highlights the importance of the Hon Cau Marine Reserve in protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the survival of these endangered creatures.