38 Sea Turtle Nests Protected on Kemer’s Çıralı, Tekirova, and Göynük Beaches

The nesting season for endangered loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast has produced a total of 38 nests in Kemer district. Thirty‑six nests were recorded on Çıralı Beach, a renowned European‑top‑10 nesting site, while two additional nests were found on the adjacent Tekirova and Göynük beaches following reports from a five‑star hotel.

Local volunteers from the Ulupınar Environment Protection and Development Cooperative, in coordination with the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks, inspected, caged, and secured each nest. Cooperative head Habib Altınkaya said, “We will continue to monitor the nests together,” emphasizing ongoing collaboration with hotel management and authorities.

The effort follows protocols with the Turkish National Parks authority and aligns with IUCN red‑list recommendations to protect these critically endangered species during their breeding period.