Endangered sea turtles artificially bred in Qingdao

An ocean park in Qingdao, Shandong province, said on Wednesday that it had artificially bred seven loggerhead sea turtles.

The seven young turtles, each weighing around 25 grams, were conceived and incubated at Qingdao Haichang Polar Ocean Park. Their carapaces, or shells, now average 5 centimeters in diameter.

The successful reproduction represents a breakthrough in the park's breeding of marine animals, the park's executives said.

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) is a species of oceanic turtle. Nine distinct population segments are covered by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in the United States.

Authorities from the China National Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Association and China Aquarium Association said it was the first time in China that loggerhead sea turtles had been artificially bred.