Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba Prefecture is one of the few places in Japan that bears witness to the beginning of an immense journey – the incredible phenomena of Loggerhead turtle hatching.

The venue oversees a protected “Sea Turtle Beach” where thousands, if not millions, of turtle hatchlings begin their start in life each and every year.
On the 13th of September this year Kamogawa Sea World watched over the release of Loggerhead turtles into the Pacific Ocean.

When sea turtles lay eggs in places that are not suitable for hatching, the eggs are collected and moved to Kamogawa Sea World’s protected “Sea Turtle Beach”. When they are ready, the turtles emerge from their eggs and make their way to the ocean in front of them. This relocation of the eggs allows more hatchlings to safely make their way to the sea, than if they were left in their original location.

The latest hatchlings to make their way to the ocean we’re laid by Loggerhead turtles on the Morning of July 22nd. With the threatening approach of Typhoon No. 10 (Haishen), 124 eggs were collected and relocated to Sea Turtle Beach.
Early in the morning on September 13th, the baby turtles began to hatch, and after being measured in body weight and length, they were released back on the beach so that they may begin the start of their lives in the ocean. Whilst watched over by Kamogawa Sea World keepers, the turtles made their way energetically toward the Pacific, and disappeared into the waves.

Loggerhead turtles are one of the many types of sea turtles that choose the coast of Kamogawa City for hatching grounds each year. So far, four spawnings have already taken place this year, which have been carefully observed from a distance by marine specialists at Kamogawa Sea World. Staff refrain from using incubators to hatch the eggs, and instead move them to a safer location so that they may start life in the most natural of ways possible.

Although it is not possible to interact with sea turtle eggs at the facility, there are a number of other ways to get involved with sea turtle conservation through Sea World or other organisations. Help keep beaches clean at beach clean-up days, recycle and reuse as much as possible, donate to turtle conservation organisations and breeding programmes and find out about possibilities of volunteering at hatching events held at various beaches.

If images of baby Loggerhead Sea Turtles aren’t enough to motivate you, here’s a photo of a judgemental adult instead;