Nhon Hai commune of Quy Nhon city in the southcentral province of Binh Dinh saw 47 sea turtles hatch on a local beach on July 22, with the natural event attracting crowds of curious onlookers.
At midnight, a total of 47 baby sea turtles hatch under the close supervision of a group of local volunteers.
According to Nguyen Ton Xuan Sang, head of the community group for protecting aquatic resources in Nhon Hai commune, the hatchlings came out from a nest consisting of 102 eggs.
He noted that the mother turtle had returned to the sea after laying her eggs. Earlier, 57 baby turtles also came out from the first nest of 103 eggs.
Pictured are the spoiled turtle eggs taken from the nest.
Sang shared that these are green sea turtles, also known as chelonia mydas. They are among one of the endangered species listed in the Red Book.
In May and June, several mother turtles had come ashore to lay eggs in Nhon Hai commune before then returning to the sea. About 400 turtle eggs were counted during the reviewed period.
After news spread of the impending hatching, many adults, children, and tourists gathered at the beach in Nhon Hai commune as they eagerly waited to witness the moment when the tiny baby turtles emerge and make their way through the sand and into the sea.
Sang revealed that turtle eggs typically hatch at night before then making their way to the water’s edge to begin their journey to the sea.
As many sea turtles lay their eggs on Quy Nhon beach, local authorities have zoned part of the beach off in order to make it a nesting place for turtles. They have also taken other steps by setting up a volunteer group specifically aimed at protecting the endangered species.