On the sunny beach of a hotel in the tourist area of Kantaoui, in Sousse, a rare and moving event occurred: 132 sea turtles have emerged in mind the amazed eyes of vacationers, who have witnessed a natural miracle in the summer.
It all started four days ago when an employee of the establishment noticed strange movements in the sand. By delicately digging, he discovers a Deep nest of about 50 cmcontaining the last trapped turtles. The alert is immediately given to the National Institute of Science and Technology of the Sea (INSTM).
Under the coordination ofOlfa chaïebResearcher at INSTM and head of the National Marine Turtles Monitoring Program, rescue operations are organized. According to Mosaique FM, on the 140 eggs laid by the mother turtle a few weeks earlier, 132 gave birth to small living turtlesready to join their natural habitat: the Mediterranean Sea.
A human chain to guide the turtles towards the sea
But what makes the event even more remarkable is the spontaneous mobilization of dozens of people present on the beach. Tourists, hotel employees, children, scientists… all lent a hand To clear the small creatures, secure their passage to the sea, and prevent them from being confused by obstacles or artificial lights.
In Hergla, a fourth nest spotted thanks to joint efforts
This event is part of a series of hatching closely followed in the region. THE Saturday July 12, 2025on the M’Defoun beach in Herglaanother discovery took place. During regular ratingled in partnership between The Brigade 17 for protection of sea turtles and agents of the forest management of M’Défountraces of marine turtle ascent have been detected, leading to the discovery of Fourth nest of the season in this area.
The beaches of the region – Meftah in Hergla by the way Chott Meriem and Kantaoui – have become privileged nesting zones, thanks to the quality of the sand, their cleanliness and a relative tranquility, ideal conditions for laying between May and July.
The INSTM finally recalls the importance of citizen vigilance. Each nest or hatching report counts for the survival of this endangered specieswhich comes back every summer to write its story on the Tunisian beaches.
