Everybody loves the sight of newly hatched sea turtles that try their best to run toward the ocean. However, a new study done on Raine Island, Queensland, Australia reveals that there might be fewer chances of us viewing these tiny sea creatures in a race towards the mighty ocean.

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Techie News reports that the rising levels of the ocean poses more threat to the nests of the sea turtles. Global warming and the drastic changes in the climate have become a threat to the sea turtles' survival.

Researchers and scientists from James Cook University wanted to find out more about how the rising sea levels affect the sea turtles' nests. They conducted an experiment that involved eggs from Raine Island's turtle hatchery.

Dr. David Pike, the lead researcher, said in an interview with Sydney Morning Herald that they took several eggs were exposed to the saltwater in different hours. Apparently, the exposure of the sea turtles' eggs for six hours can reduce the embryo's mortality rate to 40 percent. 

Even short periods of saltwater exposure can substantially lower the chances of the eggs to hatch. The nesting sites that the sea turtles think are secure enough for their eggs aren't that safe at all. Pike said that climate change and global warming are the main reasons for the rise of the ocean levels.

On a report by Jakarta Post, Dr. Kathy Townsend, the lead researcher of The University of Queensland confirmed what Pike said about the sea level's rising. As to how this will further affect the nests dug by the sea turtles, Townsend expressed their team's willingness to aid Pike's research.

The main reason why female sea turtles lay their eggs near the shore is for proper incubation. Also, having the eggs laid near enough the sea will be better for the newly hatched sea turtles so that they will reach the ocean safely without becoming prey to the many predators that might gobble them up easily. 

Both Pike and Townsend mentioned that since more danger could happen to the eggs that have been laid in their area, human intervention is a necessity. The sea turtles' survival is essentially linked on how eager human beings are in saving them from diminishing from this planet.

Tagsendangered species, Sea turtles, sea turtles in danger, sea turtles nest in danger, endangered sea turtles