A “precious” discovery on the NSW Mid North Coast has signalled the first known instance of turtle nesting in the state this season.
But the partially buried eggs were located precariously close to shore, with king tides forecast.
Long tracks left behind in the sand by “an incredibly rare” loggerhead turtle led NSW National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and NSW Turtle Watch volunteers to a nest with 139 eggs.
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But with tides forecast to peak at nearly 2m, a delicate operation was launched to relocate the nest, and advice given to beachgoers.
“It looked more likely than not the eggs could be inundated or washed away,” the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E) said.
The nest was carefully excavated, and the eggs were taken to a new, safer nest site replicating the original.
The new nest site will be monitored by a group of volunteers and NPWS staff to protect it from predators and accidental disturbances.
“If all goes well, the hatchlings should emerge at the end of summer,” DP&E said.
“In NSW, loggerhead turtle eggs typically take 75 to 90 days to hatch, depending on the temperature of the nest.”
Nesting on the state’s beaches is rare for the endangered species, with just 19 nest sites recorded in the last 10 years.
Relocating nests is uncommon, and only done when the original nest is deemed at risk of harm, as the survival of the nest is never guaranteed.
“These actions to intervene early will continue to give this nest a fighting chance,” DP&E said.
Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said the sand-covered discovery sends a message of hope for the species.
“It’s wonderful to see endangered loggerhead turtles return to NSW beaches to lay their eggs,” she said.
“As an endangered species, every single egg is precious and represents hope for this species.
“The decision to move the nest to save it from forecast king tides demonstrates the commitment of volunteers and staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to giving this endangered species the best possible chance of survival.”
The department has urged beachgoers to watch out for nests in the area, to give the species the best possible chance of survival.
“Nesting marine turtles are known to lay more than one clutch each season, so beachgoers should look out for distinctive tracks and immediately report sightings” DP&E said.
Any sighting can be reported to NPWS (1300-0-PARKS) or NSW Turtle Watch (0447 877 149).