The Caretta Nest on Vasiliki Beach

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by Urs Raber

Loggerhead sea turtle
Symbolic image: Christoph Moning - inaturalist.org

Between June and August is the time of year when volunteers on Lefkada's beaches discover the nests of the Caretta, which has laid its eggs, and wait eagerly for the little turtles to emerge from the sand and run to the sea. The problem is, however, when the nest comes to lie between sunshades and sunbeds, it is difficult to fence them off. No problem in Vasiliki, though. Thodoris from Café Nefeli, owner of these places, not only helped the volunteers, but also cleaned and demarcated the spot in question. Until the eggs hatch in about 50 days, he will also take care of the nest.

Source : lefkadapress.gr

Loggerhead turtles grow up to one metre long and weigh up to 170 kilograms. Their staple food is jellyfish. That is why they play a key role in the balance of the ecosystem, especially in cases where an overpopulation of jellyfish is observed. An estimated 80% of Mediterranean sea turtles build their nests on the shores of the Ionian Sea. Sea turtles are an endangered species. Every two years, females lay eggs in nests 2-5 times per breeding season.

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