The Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro from Kotor announced that the first case of hatching of new sea turtles was recorded in the territory of Montenegro - on Ulcinj's Velika beach.
Namely, that scientific-research institution received several reports from citizens on Saturday about the hatching of young sea turtles, most likely the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), a species that regularly lives in the Adriatic.
"Although scientists have for some time predicted the possibility of loggerhead turtles using the Velika beach area near Ulcinj to lay their eggs, this is the first such documented case. In 2013/14, the Institute conducted research on Velika beach, trying to find nests of sea turtles, but without results. In the last few years, the expansion of the nesting area of loggerhead turtles has been recorded, so it has also been recorded on the Adriatic coast of northern Italy," the Institute announced, adding that the hatching of young sea turtles on Ulcinj's Velika beach, "is the northernmost recorded case on the east coast so far." of the Adriatic".
They warned the public that all species of sea turtles are protected species, both in national and international legislation, and that, among other things, it is forbidden to remove their "litter and nests from their habitats, damage and destroy them, that is, persecute, disturb, capture or kill these species , and their habitats must not be damaged or destroyed".
"Therefore, if yesterday's event is repeated, we ask the general public to enjoy this incredible event from a safe distance, without disturbing the young turtles in any way. Only if necessary and if they would not be able to reach the sea otherwise, clear the way for them. If you witness happen during the night, don't turn on the light and take photos only without using a flash. Be, as much as possible, a casual observer and consider yourself lucky to have had the opportunity to witness this fascinating event," told the citizens from the Institute of Marine Biology, adding that the young turtles they should never be picked up, that is, any direct interaction with them should be avoided.
They invited beach visitors to report to the Institute if there are more such cases with as precise a location as possible, as well as to provide them with photos and video material if they have them, thanking Mensur Pelinković who did this on Saturday when he recorded the first entry into the sea of newly hatched young individual turtles on Ulcinj's Velika beach.
Speedboats kill large turtles
And while from Ulcinj there was wonderful information about the birth of young sea turtles from eggs in nests that adults of that species dug in the sand dunes in the hinterland of Velika pleje, much sadder news arrived almost simultaneously from Bar, where citizens were near the breakwater three days ago Luke Bar, spotted an injured adult sea turtle on the surface of the sea.
She had a serious injury over the back part of the shell, and there was profuse bleeding at the place of the last fin.
"Unfortunately, due to significant damage and great loss of blood, the turtle lost strength and sank. Its behavior, visible in the video, is extremely uncharacteristic and indicates the critical condition of the animal. There is a high probability that the turtle died due to exhaustion and the inability to surface "It is possible that the sea will wash its corpse ashore in the coming days," said the Institute of Marine Biology, to which citizens attached a video of the injured animal.
They stated that sea turtles regularly surface to sunbathe and breathe, where they are very poorly visible, as only the tip of the shell and nostrils emerge above the sea surface.
"For this reason, unfortunately, injuries to these animals by the propellers of boats and speedboats are common and, in many cases, fatal. We hereby appeal to all participants in maritime traffic to pay special attention when operating vessels and to adhere to speed limits, in order to try to protect and preserve these protected species," the Institute stated.
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