Quang Ninh: Rare sea turtle released into the wild

A 20kg olive ridley sea turtle was released back into the sea at Minh Chau beach, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province on June 7.

The 20kg olive ridley sea turtle was released into the sea in Minh Chau commune, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Photo: tuoitre.vn

Bai Tu Long National Park Management Board and other concerned functional forces joined efforts to rescue the rare species which became entangled in fishing net a day earlier.

Deputy Director of Bai Tu Long National Park, Phan Thanh Nghi, said that on June 6, Cam Pha Border Guard Station and Cam Pha Forest Guard Station had discovered a sea turtle weighing 20kg which had become entangled in a fishing net of local fisherman. They informed Bai Tu Long National Park to organise a rescue and protect the sea turtle. The turtle is in good health and the staff at Bai Tu Long Park decided to release it back to the sea the next day.

Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are listed as endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, as well as in the Vietnam Red Book.

From the beginning of 2018, Bai Tu Long National Park has organised three releases for sea turtles, in addition to the release of wildlife transferred from the Soc Son - Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre.

The National Park manages a sand beach where the sea turtles lay eggs and return to the sea. It is also a reliable location to regularly receive sea turtles caught by local people or that have become entangled in fishing nets in Quang Ninh.

Source: NDO