Bilfen Antalya High Schools Students Met with Baby Carettas

As the Biology Department of Private Bilfen Antalya High Schools, we organized our "Baby Caretta Caretta Nature Conservation and Observation" trip on 13-14 September 2023 under the guidance of Ecological Research Association (EKAD) with our 9th graders in Belek Beach, Turkey's largest sea turtle nesting area.

We set off from our school with our students before the first light of the morning. Together with our students, we witnessed with great curiosity the opening of the nests, which were previously monitored by the EKAD research assistant and themselves, who have been working on the Belek Coast since April for the hatching of baby sea turtles.

Usually in August and September, baby sea turtles leave the nest on their own and reach the sea. Baby turtles stuck in the nest, unable to come out naturally, reach the sea after their nests are opened by EKAD. We had the opportunity to witness this unique moment with our students. Hoping to see a live baby sea turtle at each nest opening multiplied the excitement of all our students and reaching each healthy hatchling made all our students very happy.

When the field work was completed, our students wore gloves and collected the waste they saw on the beach, following the hygiene rules, and left it in the recycling containers. All students who participated in the beach cleanup and nature conservation and observation activity were given certificates of appreciation by EKAD.

As Bilfen High Schools, we would like to thank Dr. Lecturer Ali Fuat Canbolat, President of EKAD Association, Expert Biologist Kerem Atatunç, and Aslıhan Güngörmez, Corporate Communication Coordinator of EKAD for their support to our students.