The only turtle nest for this season found at Ramla Bay had to be transferred to an incubation unit as strong waves hit the coast last Friday, said in a statement the Environment and Resources Authority.

It added that “the turtle nest was put in imminent danger at risk of submersion” as waves grew stronger.

Joint action between the ERA and Nature Trust Malta was taken following a vet’s recommendation.

The nest was discovered by volunteers around mid-July.

In an interview with this newsroom, Nature Trust president Vincent Attard had revealed how this nest was expected to hatch coming mid-September as they take roughly 60 days. However, this varies given that humidity levels and temperatures are constantly changing.

Attard had explained that because of these constant changes, monitoring on the nest is increased between day 50-70.

Apart from that, he added, the egg placement together with sand temperature affects the sex of the eggs as exposed to a temperature of 33 to 30 degrees are usually born females, whilst those at the bottom, exposed to 29 degrees or lower are born male.

Attard noted, during the interview that climate change is causing fewer male turtles to hatch as temperatures continue to rise.