In a heartening conservation success story that emerged this weekend, 32 loggerhead turtles have triumphantly hatched from a nest nestled in the sandy shores of Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo, with an impressive success rate of 80%.

The culmination of dedicated efforts by Nature Trust Malta volunteers and ERA officials, the hatching was celebrated after vigilant monitoring and careful nurturing.

With guidance from a qualified veterinarian, the nest was excavated, revealing the culmination of a journey that began on June 18th when 88 eggs were laid.

Of these, 48 eggs were unfertilised, while 8 were unsuccessful in hatching, leaving the heartwarming count of 32 newly emerged loggerhead turtles.

The discovery of the turtle nest in June marked the beginning of a watchful guardianship. Swift actions were taken to protect the nesting chamber upon its confirmation. Even as the recent strong winds posed a threat, volunteers meticulously constructed sandbag walls, serving as a natural barricade.

This year, two turtle nests have been reported on Maltese beaches, with Gnejna welcoming the second nest on June 25th. The loggerhead turtle, scientifically referred to as Caretta caretta, is a species that has witnessed global endangerment, classified by the IUCN.

The collective efforts of ERA and Nature Trust Malta, buoyed by dedicated volunteers, have been instrumental in safeguarding these cherished marine creatures and their habitats.

The public can report injured wildlife by calling NTM-FEE Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Unit on +356 9999 9505 or ERA on 22923500.