MERSIN, Türkiye

Around 210,000 baby sea turtles reached the Mediterranean this season from the southern province of Mersin, one of the country’s most important nesting sites for the endangered species, according to researchers.

The figure was announced as the nesting season ended under the coordination of Mahmut Ergene, deputy director of the Mersin University Sea Turtles Application and Research Center, with biology students taking part.

“Mersin is an important region for sea turtles,” Ergene told reporters, noting that the beaches of Kazanli, Davultepe, Alata, Goksu, and Anamur serve as key nesting grounds.

“This year’s nesting season was both highly successful and productive for us and for the turtles,” he said.

“At the Davultepe Centenary Nature Park alone, we identified a total of 246 nests -- 17 belonging to Caretta caretta and 229 to Chelonia mydas. The hatchlings from these nests successfully reached the sea.

“There are no nests left in the area now. Across Mersin’s beaches, we can say that some 210,000 hatchlings have reached the Mediterranean.”

Ergene added that many nests were also spotted outside the main nesting areas this year and thanked local residents for helping protect the turtles and their eggs.