Wildlife and Caretta Caretta
Zakynthos is the host to two endangered species of vertebrates, (the Mediterranean Seal Monachus Monachus and the sea Turtle Caretta Caretta). Both of the species and their biotopes are protected by International and Greek legislations about Wildlife. Mediterranean Monk Seal is one of 12 more endangered species throughout the world. The monk seal is about 3 meters in length and weights 260 to 440 kilograms. She gives birth to 1 baby, which is 1 meter in length. The mother take care the baby for 3 or 4 months. The young monk seal will reach maturity when it will become about 4 years old.
There are only 15 animals left on the island of Zakynthos. The population on Zakynthos is not resident but moves from Zakynthos to Kefallonia Island.
The animals primarily reside in caves along the west coast of Zakynthos, which is outside of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) boundaries - however they have been spotted entering the bay of Laganas.
The animals are currently being monitored by a joint venture by "Archipelagos" and "WWF - Hellas" under the supervision of "MOM".
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is the only species of sea turtle that nests in Greece. For centuries, these turtles have been nesting on the sandy beaches in the Bay of Laganas. These beaches are the most important breeding habitats of the loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean. It is for this reason that the area is protected under ÅU and international legislation, while on a national level, a Presidential Decree signed in 1999 has designated the region as the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ)
The reproduction of Caretta caretta sea turtles is reptiles born on land, but they live and grow at sea. Although there are three different species of sea turtle to be found in Greek seas - the loggerhead, the green turtle and the leatherback - only the first nests on Greek beaches.
In May, the first turtles come ashore at night in order to dig their nests which will hold approximately 100 -150 eggs. The egg-laying process finishes when the turtles cover their nests with sand and return to the sea. The nests will be protected under the warm sand for approximately two months, until the first hatchlings emerge from the nests and embark on their lonely journey to the sea.
Every hatchling weighs less than 20 grams and has a black colour. Until they reach maturity (in approximately 25 years), they will remain at sea and face many natural and man-made dangers: seagulls and big fish, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution, and speed boats. These threats are so many for the young turtles, that scientists estimate that only one out of a thousand hatchlings will survive and reach the age of reproductive maturity.
Sekania – A beach for the turtles of all six nesting beaches situated in the Bay of Laganas, is the one with the highest nest density. More than half of the nests dug by sea turtles on the whole island are found on Sekania beach. One of the highest nest densities in the world has been recorded on this stretch of beach, measuring just 550 m in length: approximately 680 nests per annum.
Uncontrolled tourist development on Zakynthos during the 80’s and 90’s has dramatically reduced the beaches available for the nesting of loggerhead turtles.
For this reason and in order to safeguard this ‘paradise’ for the loggerhead turtle and to conserve it in its natural state, WWF – Greece purchased the area surrounding the beach of Sekania (32.7 hectares) in 1994.
In order to raise the appropriate funds, WWF – Greece mobilized thousands of supporters in Greece and other European countries, as well as the European Union.
The law protects the beach of Caretta!
According to current legislation concerning the operation of the park (Govt. Gaz. 906/22.12.99) the area of Sekania has been designated zone A1 (absolute protection zone). Within this zone, the only activities permitted are scientific research. Human presence is only allowed for the implementation of permitted activities, and only after authorization granted by the management body of the NMPZ.
Due to the exceptional ecological importance of this particular beach, essentially the only one allowed access to Sekania is the loggerhead turtle! Sekania is guarded on a daily basis from June until October, in order to secure the area from visitors attempting to approach either by land or sea.
WWF Greece - Sekania management programme
The management programme of WWF Greece for Sekania beach aims to:
There are only 15 animals left on the island of Zakynthos. The population on Zakynthos is not resident but moves from Zakynthos to Kefallonia Island.
The animals primarily reside in caves along the west coast of Zakynthos, which is outside of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) boundaries - however they have been spotted entering the bay of Laganas.
The animals are currently being monitored by a joint venture by "Archipelagos" and "WWF - Hellas" under the supervision of "MOM".
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is the only species of sea turtle that nests in Greece. For centuries, these turtles have been nesting on the sandy beaches in the Bay of Laganas. These beaches are the most important breeding habitats of the loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean. It is for this reason that the area is protected under ÅU and international legislation, while on a national level, a Presidential Decree signed in 1999 has designated the region as the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ)
The reproduction of Caretta caretta sea turtles is reptiles born on land, but they live and grow at sea. Although there are three different species of sea turtle to be found in Greek seas - the loggerhead, the green turtle and the leatherback - only the first nests on Greek beaches.
In May, the first turtles come ashore at night in order to dig their nests which will hold approximately 100 -150 eggs. The egg-laying process finishes when the turtles cover their nests with sand and return to the sea. The nests will be protected under the warm sand for approximately two months, until the first hatchlings emerge from the nests and embark on their lonely journey to the sea.
Every hatchling weighs less than 20 grams and has a black colour. Until they reach maturity (in approximately 25 years), they will remain at sea and face many natural and man-made dangers: seagulls and big fish, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution, and speed boats. These threats are so many for the young turtles, that scientists estimate that only one out of a thousand hatchlings will survive and reach the age of reproductive maturity.
Sekania – A beach for the turtles of all six nesting beaches situated in the Bay of Laganas, is the one with the highest nest density. More than half of the nests dug by sea turtles on the whole island are found on Sekania beach. One of the highest nest densities in the world has been recorded on this stretch of beach, measuring just 550 m in length: approximately 680 nests per annum.
Uncontrolled tourist development on Zakynthos during the 80’s and 90’s has dramatically reduced the beaches available for the nesting of loggerhead turtles.
For this reason and in order to safeguard this ‘paradise’ for the loggerhead turtle and to conserve it in its natural state, WWF – Greece purchased the area surrounding the beach of Sekania (32.7 hectares) in 1994.
In order to raise the appropriate funds, WWF – Greece mobilized thousands of supporters in Greece and other European countries, as well as the European Union.
The law protects the beach of Caretta!
According to current legislation concerning the operation of the park (Govt. Gaz. 906/22.12.99) the area of Sekania has been designated zone A1 (absolute protection zone). Within this zone, the only activities permitted are scientific research. Human presence is only allowed for the implementation of permitted activities, and only after authorization granted by the management body of the NMPZ.
Due to the exceptional ecological importance of this particular beach, essentially the only one allowed access to Sekania is the loggerhead turtle! Sekania is guarded on a daily basis from June until October, in order to secure the area from visitors attempting to approach either by land or sea.
WWF Greece - Sekania management programme
The management programme of WWF Greece for Sekania beach aims to:
- Monitor the state and functionality of the Sekania ecosystem
- Implement small scale works that protect the area from fire and erosion.
- Secure and monitor the sound operation of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.
WWF Greece works closely with the NMPZ and the NGO “Archelon”, as well as with educational institutions in order to study the interacting abiotic and biotic factors that comprise the coastal ecosystem. In addition to the above, WWF Greece organises voluntary acitivites for the protection of the site.
The Society for turtle protection in association with the Greek Ministry of Environment organizes the information to the foreigner visitors about the few simple regulation that will ensure the protection of the endangered turtle.
1. It is strictly forbidden to stay on the beach after sunset. The turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs during dark hours.
2. Do not dig in the sand, especially in the upper part of the beach
3. Do not use sunshades that have to be stuck in the sand. Sunshades can destroy nests, by reducing their shade temperature of the sand and modify the conditions under which the eggs are hatched.
4. Do not bring vehicles into the beach and do not let dogs in the sand. At the beginning of the summer, when the turtles come out of the sea to make their nests, they leave tracks in the sand made by their fins as they try to drag their heavy bodies up to the beach and back again to the sea. Beach games should therefore be avoided, since they may uncover a nest and holes in the sand often become death traps for their baby turtles as they try to find their way to the sea.
5. It is forbidden to use lights that reflect on the sea.
It is forbidden to take baby turtles away or to help them ti find their way to the sea. It is essential that the newly born turtles should rely exclusively on their own efforts to find the way to the sea.
The Society for turtle protection in association with the Greek Ministry of Environment organizes the information to the foreigner visitors about the few simple regulation that will ensure the protection of the endangered turtle.
1. It is strictly forbidden to stay on the beach after sunset. The turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs during dark hours.
2. Do not dig in the sand, especially in the upper part of the beach
3. Do not use sunshades that have to be stuck in the sand. Sunshades can destroy nests, by reducing their shade temperature of the sand and modify the conditions under which the eggs are hatched.
4. Do not bring vehicles into the beach and do not let dogs in the sand. At the beginning of the summer, when the turtles come out of the sea to make their nests, they leave tracks in the sand made by their fins as they try to drag their heavy bodies up to the beach and back again to the sea. Beach games should therefore be avoided, since they may uncover a nest and holes in the sand often become death traps for their baby turtles as they try to find their way to the sea.
5. It is forbidden to use lights that reflect on the sea.
It is forbidden to take baby turtles away or to help them ti find their way to the sea. It is essential that the newly born turtles should rely exclusively on their own efforts to find the way to the sea.
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