Shy baby turtles get a helping hand in Phang Nga
PHOTOS: The Nation
Thirty-five new hatchling leatherback turtles, reluctant to leave their nests on Phang Nga’s Ta Sai Beach, have been given a helping hand to find their way to the sea.
Marine and Coastal Resources Department officials yesterday noticed that there were signs in the sand that the baby turtles had hatched, but became concerned this morning after none of them had emerged.
“So, we decided to dig them out,” department director-general Jatuporn Buruspat said.
“We’ve already released them into the sea.”
Jatuporn noted that leatherback turtles only choose quiet, non-polluted areas to nest, indicating that Ta Sai Beach was peaceful and clean.
“We have a convention on the conservation of marine turtles that 11 tourism and hospitality groups have signed, pledging that their activities will not affect turtle egg-laying areas,” he said.
“We have to protect such a precious beach.”
