Nearly 25,000 loggerhead hatchlings reach sea from Türkiye coast

Nearly 25,000 endangered loggerhead turtle hatchlings have reached the Mediterranean from Türkiye’s Antalya coast this season as conservation teams continue monitoring about 4,500 nests along a 65-kilometer shoreline.

Thousands of nests under protection

Volunteers involved in the Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Project patrol nesting areas each morning, documenting new nests and following the emergence of hatchlings. The work covers a broad section of Antalya’s coastline, including Manavgat, Belek and Kundu-Lara.

The conservation initiative is headed by Hacettepe University academic Ali Fuat Canbolat, who also leads the Ecological Research Association (EKAD). Project coordinator Fatih Polat said teams have so far counted approximately 1,700 nests around Manavgat, 2,300 in Belek and another 350 in Kundu-Lara, bringing the season’s total to about 4,500.

Lower nest numbers linked to natural cycle

The number of nests is below the roughly 7,000 recorded in some previous summer seasons, but conservation officials say the difference should not be interpreted as a sharp decline in the loggerhead population. Polat explained that female turtles generally return to nesting grounds every three to four years, meaning annual numbers can fluctuate naturally.

"Turtles nest once every three to four years, and this year coincided with that cycle," Polat said, adding that a stronger and more concentrated nesting season is expected next year.

Nesting season extended into August

Loggerhead turtles typically lay their eggs between May and July, but weather conditions prolonged this year's nesting activity into the first week of August. Hatchlings began emerging around the middle of July, with the process potentially continuing through Oct. 15.

Conservation teams have already opened around 2,000 nests, according to Polat. Their records show that close to 25,000 young turtles have successfully made the journey from their nests to the Mediterranean.

Human activity remains a major threat

Despite the monitoring campaign, volunteers have continued to encounter dangers created by beachgoers. Fires, unauthorized interference with nests and attempts to remove eggs can place both hatchlings and unhatched turtles at risk.

Two hatchlings in the Belek-Bogazkent area died after moving into a fire that had been lit directly on the beach. In another incident, metal cages installed to shield nests were reportedly used as makeshift barbecue grills, subjecting the eggs underneath to excessive heat.

Unauthorized digging has also been reported, particularly around hotel zones. Polat said some visitors dig into nests after seeing hatchlings emerge, believing they are helping turtles still underground.

"People see hatchlings emerging and dig into the nest because they think they can rescue the others below," he said, noting that EKAD responded with warning notices and public awareness activities. Although the practice has declined, it remains a concern.

Polat also stressed that the appearance of the first hatchling does not mean the nest is empty. Other turtles can continue emerging for another four or five days, making it important for visitors to leave nesting sites undisturbed.