Lam Dong (VNA) – A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), an endangered species listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book, recently returned to lay eggs on Cau Cang Beach on Hon Cau Island, Lien Huong commune, the south central province of Lam Dong.
During a routine marine inspection on July 11, a patrol team from the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Board discovered a nest containing 112 eggs.
The eggs were subsequently collected and relocated to the MPA’s designated incubation area. Under normal weather conditions, they are expected to hatch within 45 to 60 days.
This marks the turtle’s second return to Hon Cau this year, following a previous nest of 108 eggs laid on June 23 — an encouraging sign for the species’ conservation. The sea turtle nesting season normally runs from May to October.
Located approximately 10km offshore, Hon Cau is one of Vietnam’s 16 nationally designated marine protected areas of environmental significance. Spanning about 12,500 hectares, the area features diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal habitats that serve as breeding grounds for numerous valuable marine species, including the endangered green turtle.
In recent years, to raise public awareness of marine conservation and sea turtle protection, the Hon Cau MPA has actively engaged local residents and volunteers in beach patrols and nest ground monitoring. Thanks to these efforts, thousands of baby turtles have been successfully hatched and released back into the sea./.
