Extraordinary hatching of Caretta caretta sea turtles on the “Le Celestine” beach of Lu Bagnu in Castelsardo.
The birth of the young began at dawn last night, and only four specimens were monitored and helped on their journey to reach the sea.
It was the Crama Centre of the Asinara National Park that managed the release of baby turtles in recent days, following some reports. The interventions took place over several days with sightings and findings of some individuals that were naturally able to acquire freedom. Only two specimens, which were located at a significant distance from the shoreline and which would have had considerable difficulty entering the sea, due to adverse weather and sea conditions, required active intervention by the operators' staff.
In coordination with the Asinara National Park, the Regional Network of Marine Fauna in Distress and the scientific referents of the CReS, it was decided to move the two cubs that same evening but in a more suitable area. This is to ensure safe entry into water as natural as possible, due to the favorable temperature, the lower presence of predators and the dark conditions. Around 20.05 the two specimens were released on the beach of Platamona, where, thanks to the good weather and sea conditions, the small turtles were able to reach the sea independently.
This event has allowed us to hypothesize the presence of a Caretta caretta nest in the areas surrounding the beach of Le Celestine, the eggs would have been laid in the summer season just passed, probably at the end of August.
Since this is an unreported nesting site and, consequently, not secured and monitored as per the Regional Protocol of the Recovery and Rescue Centers for Marine Fauna in Distress, the action was aimed only at monitoring the chicks found on the beach. Furthermore, not having had the possibility of identifying the exact point of the nest, it was not possible to proceed with the opening of the chamber in order to collect important data, especially because they referred to a late nesting.
