A Loggerhead turtle was observed on a beach in Villeneuve-Loubet laying her eggs. A first in the department for at least half a century, according to the French Office for Biodiversity.
It is a very stubborn turtle who was surprised to lay her eggs on a beach in Villeneuve-Loubet, near Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), on the night of Sunday July 2 to Monday July 3. The mother-to-be first had to endure the dedication of walkers who, thinking to save her, sprinkled her with water, until she returned to the sea, tell us our colleagues from France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte of Azure.
Showing unfailing determination, she has, according to the story of 20 minutescircumvented the “problem” and returned to dig the sand a few meters further, to bury her eggs there, under the gaze of other curious walkers, alerted by their dog.
Dispatched to the scene, marine biologist from the Marineland Foundation Sidonie Catteau confirmed the presence of the nest, stating that the number of eggs was unknown and that some may not have been fertilized.
The spawning area has since been secured and placed under camera surveillance by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB). Anyone who attempts to remove, damage eggs or disturb the premises is liable to a fine of 150,000 euros, according to the Environmental Code. The laying will take place within 40 to 80 days, specify the specialists.
The Loggerhead turtle, also called Caretta Caretta is a protected species that can exceed one meter in length. It usually spawns on the beaches of the central and eastern Mediterranean, mainly in Greece, Turkey, Libya or Cyprus but also more recently in Italy and Spain. July 2 in Spain, 119 eggs were discovered in El Vendrell, a small town located northeast of Tarragona (Catalonia). Turtle nests were also observed last summer on the beaches of Valras (Hérault) as well as in Fréjus, in the Var, in 2020 or in 2018 in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone (Hérault).
If you ever have the good fortune to come across a Loggerhead turtle, don’t disturb it! Just observe it from a distance of five meters. Avoid screams and flashes. And remember to warn the specialists or the authorities.