First hawksbill turtle nest found in East Coast Park after oil spill

A nest of eggs from the critically endangered hawksbill turtle has been found in East Coast Park, the first since the 400-tonne oil spill on June 14 that marred Singapore's shorelines.

- Lee Li Ying

With the ongoing turtle nesting season, which lasts from around May to October, researchers are hoping to study the impact of the oil spill on this year's turtle hatchlings and eggs.

The National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed that it was alerted to the nest on June 23, and has secured it with barriers to protect the eggs from predators.

"We will continue to monitor the nest to assess the nest conditions and determine an estimated hatch date," said Dr Karenne Tun, director at NParks' National Biodiversity Centre.

The hawksbill turtle is one of two species of marine turtles that can be found in Singapore waters, the other being the green turtle.

Female turtles come to the sandy beaches of East Coast Park and the Southern Islands to lay eggs during the yearly nesting season.

A hawksbill turtle typically lays more than 100 eggs in each nest.

The eggs incubate for about 55 days and the hatchlings emerge in two batches. They instinctively head for the open sea after.

Mr Bernard Seah, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, said it is unlikely that the oil spill would have any immediate impact on the nest.

Part of the reason is that the bulk of the thick oil slicks had been cleaned off the beaches before the nest was found.