The turtles become confused and disorientated by the flickering nocturnal skyline of built up areas
Crawling out on an idyllic sandy beach, these tiny turtle hatchlings face some of nature’s toughest odds to survive.
The work of devoted conservationists committed to save the young marine creatures from falling down drains, being crushed by cars or picked off by predators is being highlighted in a Planet Earth 2 special.
Directors of the BBC blockbuster want to highlight the work of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project to show how they are saving the lives of thousands of the endangered sea reptiles.
The plight of hawksbill turtle is shown in the final episode of the six-part critically-acclaimed nature series as it focusses on the wildlife of cities.
For hawksbill turtles, man’s footprints on their ancient nesting grounds on the once untouched beaches of Barbados have only increased their struggle for survival.
The bright lights of the island’s coastal settlements create the first of many life-or-death challenges for the baby reptiles as they emerge from their beach nests at night and head for safety of the sea.
Conditioned to follow light of the moon reflecting on the water, they become confused and disorientated by the flickering nocturnal skyline of built up areas.
It leaves thousands of the tiny creatures running a gauntlet of car wheels, drains and marauding cats.
For the devoted members of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project it also means nights spent fishing in fetid drains to pull the lost hatchlings to safety and giving them a helping hand at the start of their lives’ journeys.
Devoted members of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project spend nights fishing in fetid drains
Planet Earth 2 director Charlotte Bostock explains: “There are many animals that have not been able to adapt to the change brought about by the expansion of the urban environment.
“Hawksbill turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests need to head for the sea as soon as possible. They do this by heading for the brightest horizon. Traditionally, this was the light of the moon reflected off the sea, but with the emergence of beachside towns many turtle hatchlings are now confused, and head up the beach into the towns.
“Few of these confused hatchlings will survive without the help of humans...
Crawling out on a sandy beach, these tiny turtle hatchlings face the toughest odds to survive
“This is a short video on the hugely important work that the dedicated staff of Barbados Sea Turtle Project do to save the lives of thousands of turtles.”
The series’ final look at the various wild habitats that support life on planet Earth explores the adaptations that creatures such as langur monkeys, peregrine falcons and leopards are making to feed and breed in mankind’s artificial world: Cities.