It is turtle nesting season again and NParks recently shared a video which showed about 100 Hawksbill Turtle hatchlings at East Coast Park. NParks had sent its officers to the site to watch over and guide the hatchlings to the sea.
Hawksbill Turtles In Singapore
The hatchlings are critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle. They are one of two species of marine turtles that can be found in Singapore waters.
Accoridng to the NPark’s website, “Hawksbill Turtles can be found in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They avoid deep waters, preferring shallow coral reefs. They have been regularly sighted along the Singapore Strait.”
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And, yes. It is amazing that female Hawksbills return to Singapore’s shores each year to lay their eggs.
What To Do If You Spot Turtles and Hatchlings
If you spot the hatchlings, do take note that the Hawksbill Turtle is a protected species under the Wildlife Act. They are wild animals and members of public should not collect the hatchlings or any eggs that they come across. Doing so is an offence under the Wildlife Act.
So what should you do if you come across nesting Hawksbill Turtles in Singapore or their hatchlings?
If you do spot hatchlings or a nesting turtle, call the NParks helpline at 1800-4717300.
Be sure to keep your distance, keep noise levels low by speaking softly and avoid touching them. Do not shine lights at the turtle or use flash photography. They are not there for to be models. Light and noise may scare the turtles, and can cause a nesting turtle to leave without laying any eggs.
Also, you should keep clear of tracks left by nesting turtles. Researchers use the tracks to identify the species of the turtle and to locate the nest.
Let’s Show Care for Nature
If you also want to do more to help them, be conscious about plastic pollution and cut down on single use plastics.
Or even help to clean up the beach of litter that you come across.
Let’s be respectful of nature and care for the biodiversity found on our little island. Please.
