Protected Caretta Caretta Turtles Nest Again on Kalymnos Beach

On the night of 10 July 2026, at around 00.00, an emotional and hopeful natural event took place at Kandouni beach, located on the Greek island of Kalymnos. A Caretta caretta, one of the endangered sea turtles, came ashore to lay her eggs. This event proved that the said beach is one of the natural breeding grounds for this protected species. The fact that Caretta caretta nests have been observed in this region in previous years shows that the area continues to be a safe and favorable habitat for the turtles. This rare and important moment was recorded as a miraculous natural event.

From the moment the turtle came ashore, local residents and the neighborhood exhibited a very sensitive attitude, displaying exemplary behavior. Aware of how sensitive the nesting process is, the people kept a safe distance so as not to disturb the turtle and avoided making any noise. Additionally, to prevent the animal, which would return to the sea in the dark of the night, from losing its way, they consciously turned off the lights of the houses facing the sea. Thus, the mother turtle was able to complete her centuries-old instinctive process in its natural flow. This situation highlighted the local community's high awareness of environmental protection and biodiversity.

Immediately after the mother turtle finished laying her eggs and safely returned to the sea, local residents took swift action to ensure the safety of the hatchlings. They fenced off the nesting site for protection against guests who might come to the beach and those wishing to swim, and ensured the area's security. Furthermore, they immediately reported the situation to the Kalymnos Port Authority, initiating the implementation of official protective measures. The nest has already been marked, and warning signs in Greek and English will be placed to inform local and foreign tourists visiting the area. Thus, the presence of the nest will be known to everyone, and social contribution to the protection process will be ensured.

The Caretta caretta species, one of the most iconic creatures of the Mediterranean and Aegean waters, is among the sea turtles, of which there are only seven species worldwide. If they survive the dangers in their natural habitats and human-induced threats, these magnificent creatures can have a very long lifespan, reaching up to 80 years. One of their most fascinating features is that, after a 20 to 30-year maturation process, they usually return to the very beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Because of this homing instinct, the protection of breeding beaches is of invaluable importance for the future of the species. For this reason, the continued hosting of these rare guests by islands like Kalymnos is of great environmental significance.

However, the existence of this species is currently under numerous serious threats such as uncontrolled construction, coastal erosion, excessive artificial lighting, and climate change. Intense tourist activities and bright lights on the beaches can prevent newly born hatchlings from finding the sea, leading to their death. Additionally, inadvertent accidents such as getting caught in fishing nets significantly reduce the survival chances of adult turtles. It is emphasized that respect for nature and other living beings is a responsibility that everyone must fulfill to ensure the continued existence of these rare species in the Mediterranean. Protecting every nest is a critical and valuable step taken in defense of our planet's fragile ecological balance.