Turtle numbers around Armed Forces bases in Cyprus hit record high

Turtle numbers at beaches around military sites in Cyprus have hit record highs after conservation efforts by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and civilian volunteers.

One hundred and seventy-two Green and Loggerhead turtle nests were found in 2022 in the Western and Eastern Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) and at Akrotiri, Episkopi and Dhekelia – where UK military personnel support ongoing operations in the region.

Military and civilian personnel play a key role in monitoring nesting beaches.

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They report turtle tracks and report illegal and damaging activities.

Nests have been threatened in recent years for numerous reasons, including invasive species and human activity.

However, volunteering efforts have transformed nesting sites for turtles.

Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) environmental officer Alexia Perdiou said: "We are delighted with the increasing numbers of turtle nests on beaches in the Bases in recent years, which is down to the vital work we do alongside our legion of military and civilian volunteers – patrolling beaches and searching for turtle tracks in the early hours of the morning every day throughout the summer months.

"Being careful to not directly interact with any turtles or hatchlings, we ensure that nesting sites are protected from both human activity and invasive predators which, alongside wider conservation efforts being done throughout Cyprus, will ensure these incredible animals continue to thrive."