On Tuesday night, a local official shared exciting news with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper: 12 baby sea turtles had hatched on the beach in Nhon Hai Commune.
This was the second group of sea turtle hatchlings to emerge from their nests along this stretch of sand, with the first batch having hatched around the end of May and early June.
Word spread quickly, and soon adults, children, and tourists gathered on the beach, their eyes glued to the sand as they eagerly awaited the appearance of the tiny turtles.
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Dung Nhan / Tuoi Tre: Children gather to witness the sea turtles hatching at Nhon Hai Commune beach in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam, on July 9, 2024. |
As the first turtle hatchlings broke free from the sand, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, with children especially captivated by the magical sight.
“I was awe-struck and overjoyed to witness the turtle eggs hatch,” shared Nguyen Duy Khoa from Quy Nhon City, describing his first experience of this special event. “It’s a moment that instills a deep appreciation and desire to protect nature.”
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Dung Nhan / Tuoi Tre: A tiny sea turtle hatchling is gently held in a person’s hands at Nhon Hai Commune beach in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam, July 9, 2024. |
Nguyen Ton Xuan Sang, leader of the community group for protecting aquatic resources in Nhon Hai Commune, explained that turtle eggs typically hatch at night, and the hatchlings instinctively crawl towards the water to begin their journey to the sea.
“News of the turtle hatching spread like wildfire, and soon large crowds of people and tourists arrived,” Sang recounted. “Everyone stayed up all night, eager to be a part of this extraordinary event.”
He described the atmosphere as electric, with a mix of curiosity, excitement, and even tears of emotion as the community came together to ensure the safe journey of these precious sea turtle hatchlings to their new home in the sea.
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Dung Nhan / Tuoi Tre: A tiny sea turtle hatchling takes its first steps towards the sea at Nhon Hai Commune beach in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam, July 9, 2024. |
Sang also noted a positive shift in the community’s awareness, with residents of Nhon Hai Commune taking greater care to keep the sea free from litter.
“I believe that experiences like these will continue to foster a sense of environmental stewardship,” Sang added. “By preserving a clean and beautiful environment, we can ensure that turtles have a safe place to nest and that future generations can also bear witness to these miraculous moments.”