Turtle Hatchlings at Mon Repos

hatchlings at Mon Repos, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

One day old turtles, called hatchlings, were rescued from a nest that had hatched. The hatchlings were displayed to the tourists, and released to walk the beach to the water, where they swam off....to swim around the world until they reach the age of 30 years, when they mature, and if female, return to this very beach to lay their eggs.

This is a fascinating story, as researchers really have not been able to exactly know where the turtles have gone and whether they survive.
One turtle, tagged and released 30 years ago, returned and laid her eggs, giving the researchers their first information about the maturity age, as well as the information that they return to their birthplace to lay their eggs.

Survival rate is estimated to be 1 in 1,000, which holds little hope for this tiny turtle who started his massive life journey right here. He will have to avoid being dinner for birds and fish, as well as other dangers that lie ahead.

We wish him well in his great trip around the world.

 

I touched his flipper...and he is very strong.

Those tiny flippers walk him down the beach, into the sea and then he has to swim the currents and battle his way to Coffs Harbor where they know they will go.

The hatchlings are all tagged and labeled.