Caretta Caretta Eggs are Protected by Drone
The nests of the endangered caretta carettas that lay eggs on the beaches of Mersin are monitored with drones. The nests of the protected caretta carettas that lay eggs on the beaches of Mersin are monitored by drone.
The coast of METU Marine Sciences Institute in Erdemli district is among the important breeding areas for caretta caretta and green sea turtles. Caretta carettas, which come to the protected beach at night and lay eggs, then return to the sea. Scientists examining the beach identify and protect the nests with drones.
Research assistant Begum Ece Tohumcu, who said that they scanned the entire coast with drone every morning, said, “We started to observe our coasts as of the end of May, when the egg laying time of the loggerheads started. Every morning, our eastern and western coasts are scanned with the drone method. The opportunity to scan a wider area and its surroundings with the drone system. “The nests that are detected are protected by cages. Last year, we had 14 nests, and this year we expect to have nearly 20 nests,” he said.
‘ONE OF A THOUSAND PUPPIES SURVIVES’
Sea turtle researcher Fatima Nur Ogul Unal asked the citizens who use the egg laying areas to be more careful during this period. Stating that loggerhead sea turtles and loggerhead turtles lay eggs on the shores of the Mediterranean, Unal said, “The breeding areas in the Mediterranean are very important for the continuation of these creatures. Especially, 50 percent of green sea turtles nest on the shores of Turkey. There is enough pressure on these creatures both in the sea and on land. “Only 1 out of a thousand puppies can reach the adult level,” he said.
‘DO NOT TAKE IT IN YOUR HANDS TO THE SEA’
Pointing out that the pressures on protected species should be reduced, Unal said: “The sun loungers and umbrellas should be removed at least at night, especially in the hotels area. Because these creatures come ashore at night. People should not pollute the beach. People take the baby sea turtles and take them to the sea. To benefit. “They are doing it for their own sake, but this is a harmful action for living things. We should definitely not touch them, we should ensure that they reach the sea by natural means. We should not shine a light on their faces, the light misses them. It is very important that they notify universities or nature associations if they feel something strange in their behavior.”