In a heartening move for marine conservation, Thai conservationists have set 11 baby leatherback sea turtles free into the Indian Ocean off the shores of Phuket. These year-old turtles, roughly the size of a rugby ball, are part of an ambitious initiative to bolster the population of this critically endangered species.
The release comes after a dedicated effort to nurture the turtles, following the discovery in 2018 of leatherbacks returning to southern Thailand to lay eggs. While some have already made their way successfully into the ocean, others did not survive the initial stages, prompting a comprehensive program to support the weaker hatchlings.
Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, emphasized the importance of this program. \"It's necessary for us to study the travel routes of the baby turtles to understand where they are going so that we can implement measures to protect the leatherback turtle while they are hatching from their nests,\" he explained.
Thailand stands alongside Sri Lanka and Canada as one of the few countries capable of nurturing leatherback turtles to their first year. The goal is for these turtles to grow strong enough to survive in the wild and eventually return to reproduce in two decades.
Each of the released turtles is equipped with a satellite tag, thanks to the efforts of Upwell Turtles, a non-profit conservation organization. This technology allows scientists to monitor their journey and gather crucial data to aid in conservation efforts.
Despite their ancient lineage, leatherback sea turtles are facing unprecedented threats in the Pacific, with populations dwindling to fewer than 2,300 adult females according to the World Wildlife Fund. Post-release, the turtles navigate numerous dangers, including fishing gear, plastic waste, and toxins in the ocean.
Senior fishery biologist Hirun Kanghae expressed optimism about the program's success. \"If they survive, it answers everything about the conservation and population restoration of the leatherback sea turtles in the best way possible,\" he said.
This release represents a beacon of hope for the survival of the leatherback turtle, a species that has endured for over 150 million years yet now teeters on the brink of extinction.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
