Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Saved and Released



BREAKING NEWS - the giant turtle was released on Saturday 1st August into the Andaman Sea at Cape Panwa.



A Green Sea Turtle was recently found tied to an anchor and trapped underwater. The Marine and Costal Resources Department (MCRD) were called and immediately sped out to the location where the turtle had been found. Fishermen, who were suspected of having trapped the turtle, had already fled the scene leaving the turtle trapped and in pain. After freeing the turtle, the MCRD took the turtle to the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) at Cape Panwa for treatment. The turtle weighed over 120 kilos and had a carapace (shell) 97 centimetres long (making the turtle between 50 and 60 years old).

The turtle is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The PMBC are treating the turtle for a cracked carapace but he is responding well to treatment.

If you do stay with us pay a visit to the nearby local aquarium and see the turtle breeding pools, the Marine Biodiversity Collection and the Marine Endangered Species Museum.

Click here for more photographs of the turtles and breeding centre.

No comments:

Post a Comment