Phuket: Lifeguards rush to save turtle washed ashore in Thalang

Lifeguards at Bang Tao Beach in Thalang district, Phuket, faced an unexpected rescue mission this morning when a 30-kilogramme sea turtle, too weak to swim, was found washed ashore.

The beach patrol team, led by Wirun Chuea-saman, head of the Surin-Bang Tao Beach lifeguards, quickly sprang into action.

“We spotted the turtle during our routine patrol. It wasn’t injured but it was definitely weak and needed urgent help.”

The turtle, while showing no signs of visible injury, was clearly in distress. Lifeguards immediately contacted marine biologists from the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Center at Cape Panwa. The experts arrived promptly, providing first aid and beginning their investigation into what caused the turtle to be stranded on the beach.

Officials are now closely monitoring the turtle as it receives further assessments and care. The cause of the turtle’s weakened state remains unknown, but marine specialists are working hard to uncover any underlying issues, reported Phuket News.

In related news, another sea turtle, entangled in discarded fishing nets, washed ashore in Phuket on June 13. The young turtle was found by lifeguards on Kalim Beach, north of Patong, amidst a mix of debris.

Patong Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards successfully freed the turtle by cutting away the netting before notifying officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

DMCR officials transported the turtle to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center at Cape Panwa for rehabilitation before its eventual release back into the sea. The official reports did not specify the turtle’s gender, age, or weight.

In other news, efforts to protect rare marine species along the Andaman Sea have intensified, with new aerial surveys revealing the presence of dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins, highlighting a thriving marine ecosystem. The initiative, spearheaded by senior officials, aims to conserve these precious resources.