In Phang Nga, 165 baby sea turtles hatch and venture into the sea

In a heartwarming event, 165 baby hawksbill sea turtles hatched and ventured into the sea in Phang Nga on Tuesday. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported that a mother hawksbill sea turtle had laid a total of 190 eggs on January 15 this year.

The successful hatching of the baby turtles took place at Chong Khao Kad Bay in the Mo Ko Surin National Park, where park officials released them back to their homes in the sea. However, there are still 25 eggs that have not yet hatched.

Photos posted on the park’s Facebook page show a crowd of excited beach-goers snapping photos of the sweet little turtles as they make their way to the sea down a path cleared for them. There are also close-up shots of the turtles.

The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. Their appearance is similar to that of other sea turtles, however, Hawksbill shells slightly change colours depending on water temperatures.

The successful hatching and release of these baby turtles is a significant win for conservation efforts, as every hatchling that makes it to the sea increases the chances of the species surviving and thriving.

This happy news comes after 78 baby leatherback sea turtles hatched in Phang Nga just last week.

The 78 baby leatherback sea turtles clawed their way out of their eggs on Bang Kwan Beach and headed to their ocean home. Unfortunately, 23 eggs did not hatch and 13 baby turtles died shortly after hatching, before making their way to the open seas.

In Phang Nga, 118 turtle eggs were found on November 18, marking the start of nesting season. Out of the 118 eggs, 106 were fertile and in good condition. Officials moved the eggs to a high-tech nest with a fence and CCTV cameras, along with thermometers to monitor the incubation process.

Only one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings is thought to make it to adulthood. Without guidance, many hatchlings die from dehydration because they don’t make it to the ocean fast enough. In Thailand, park rangers play a crucial role in protecting sea turtle eggs and hatchlings. Rangers often move eggs they find to safer spots and help to safely guide hatchlings into the sea.