Rare hatching of hundreds of green turtles in Kélonia

A delightful surprise marked the beginning of this week at Kélonia, the Sea Turtle Observatory of Reunion Island: hundreds of baby green turtles emerged from the sand of the center’s artificial beach. A rare event and a source of hope for this iconic species.

For several weeks, signs of hatchlings coming ashore had been observed on the beach in the mornings, confirmed by CCTV footage showing two females laying eggs.

The team at the Care Center then implemented enhanced monitoring, allowing them to locate several nests, some of which were equipped with recording thermometers to better understand the incubation conditions.

The newborns, in excellent health, are released that same evening, a time when predators are least active.

The turtle, a living treasure of Reunion Island
In Reunion Island, several species frequent the waters, including the green turtle, the main species that comes to breed on the beaches, but nesting remains rare and precious.

All sea turtles are protected there, as they remain severely threatened by pollution, accidental fishing, poaching, and climate change.

Kélonia, a key player in conservation

Located in Saint-Leu, Kélonia is a care center, scientific observatory, and museum-awareness space open to the public.

Each year, its teams rescue and care for injured turtles, conduct research programs, and work to preserve populations in the Indian Ocean. It’s an essential place to learn more about these fascinating animals and the challenges of protecting them.