Over 100 hawksbill turtle hatchlings emerged from nest at East Coast Park

Over 100 hawksbill turtle hatchlings emerged from their nest at East Coast Park on Friday morning (Dec. 13).

Some of the baby turtles had their measurements taken by members of the National Parks Board (NParks) Conservation staff to determine the health of the clutch.

Under their watchful eyes, these hatchlings safely made their way to the sea.

Some hawksbill turtles return to Singapore shores to lay eggs

According to NParks, some female hawksbill turtles return to the Singapore shores to lay their eggs from around May to October every year.

These eggs can take up to 60 days, or two months, to incubate.

Turtle hatchlings may face many challenges when heading out to the open waters, including predation by shore birds and crabs, or getting to other light sources and crawling inland instead of heading out to sea.

Singapore's waters are home to two species of marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and the green turtle.

As protected species under the Wildlife Act, members of the public are not allowed to collect any hatchlings or eggs.

What to do if you spot hatchlings or nesting turtles

The public is encouraged to contact NParks helpline at 1800-471-7300 if they spot any hatchlings or nesting turtles.

Meanwhile, they should keep a safe distance from the turtles, avoid touching them, and keep noise levels low.

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