Turtle Watch GC shares warning while waiting for turtle nest to hatch at Palm Beach

People visiting a southern Gold Coast beach have been warned to ‘keep your dogs on a leash’ after an active turtle nest was found within the dunes.

People visiting a southern Gold Coast beach have been warned to “keep your dogs on a leash” as an active turtle nest remains within the dunes.

On Sunday, a Gold Coast local found a loggerhead sea turtle, which had burrowed itself within the sand dunes at Palm Beach, had laid more than 40 eggs.

TurtleWatch Gold Coast, Sea World Foundation and Watergum Community have come together to help make the hatching process as protected and successful as possible.

On Sunday, Palm Beach resident Sonya Underdahl shared photos of the loggerhead turtle and her eggs.

“Palmy, we’re officially turtle parents,” she said.

“There could be more nests out there, so let’s keep looking out for our wildlife.”

On Tuesday, Palm Beach locals spotted signs warning beachgoers that were was an active turtle nest nearby.

Watergum Community CEO and TurtleWatch GC co-ordinator Rosalinde Green said they were expecting the “mumma loggerhead turtle” to return to Palm Beach in the next fortnight to lay her “next clutch”.

Ms Green shared four points on how locals can help it be a successful hatch.

On Sunday, a Gold Coast local found a loggerhead sea turtle, which had burrowed itself within the sand dunes at Palm Beach, laid more than 40 eggs. Photo: Watergum Community

On Sunday, a Gold Coast local found a loggerhead sea turtle, which had burrowed itself within the sand dunes at Palm Beach, laid more than 40 eggs. Photo: Watergum Community

Turtle Watch Gold Coast and Sea World Foundation have come together to help make the hatching process as protected and successful as possible. Photo: Facebook/Rosalinde Green

“Report turtle activity by calling the Sea World Foundation hotline, 5588 2222,” she said.

“Keep your dogs on a leash on our local beaches and don’t let them dig up sand around the dunes.

“If you are one of our beachfront residents, please turn off your outside lights at night and block out inside lights where possible.

“Start logging your beach walks.

“Look after our dunes, report dune erosion, collect marine debris and make others around you aware of turtle nesting activity on our beaches.”

Watergum Community launched a fundraiser called ‘TurtleWalk for Good’ to help raise money to protect endangered sea turtles.

It comes as Currumbin Wildlife Hospital released 10 tiny eastern longneck turtles into the wild at Mudgeeraba.

The ten turtles had been incubated for 80 days at the hospital after their mum was tragically hit by a car and died.

“This is an important reminder that if you come across an injured animal it could be pregnant or carrying eggs and as always will need urgent veterinary attention,” Currumbin Wildlife senior vet Dr Michael Pyne OAM said.

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital released 10 tiny eastern longneck turtles into the wild at Mudgeeraba.

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