PHUKET: Two injured Olive Ridley sea turtles washed up on Phuket’s west coast yesterday.
One of the two turtles, a male between 15 and 20 years old, was found on Patong Beach with leg and head injuries inflicted by a boat propeller.
The other turtle, a female between five and 20 years old, was found earlier that day at Nai Harn Beach.
“The turtle found at Nai Harn Beach had several cuts on her fins from a net,” said Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, head of the Marine Endangered Species Unit at the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC).
Both turtles were transferred to the PMBC to be treated and are being kept under observation.
The discovery of the injured turtles yesterday follows an injured Olive Ridley sea turtle being rescued at Koh Racha Yai late last week.
The creature – rated as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of nature – was rescued by the staff of Phuket’s Scuba Cat Diving company while they were on a diving trip last Thursday and saw the turtle struggling in the water off Koh Racha Yai.
PMBC veterinarian Patcharaporn Kaewmong said the turtle was suffering from an internal infection and was still in critical condition.
“The turtle is about five to 10 years old. We still cannot determine its sex. On its front flippers it has old scars from fishing nets. Its shell was fractured and the animal was malnourished and in weak condition,” Dr Patcharaporn explained.
“We gave it an injection of antibiotics and vitamins. It is slightly better now, but it is still having difficulty swimming,” she added.
Additional reporting by Orawin Narabal
Experts believe the injuries were caused by a boat propeller. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
Experts believe the injuries were caused by a boat propeller. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
Experts believe the injuries were caused by a boat propeller. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
A rescue worker joins local residents in recovering the injured turtle at Patong Beach. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
A rescue worker joins local residents in recovering the injured turtle at Patong Beach. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong
Phuket: Two injured turtles rescued, dolphin dies
Phuket News, 7 Oct 13;
PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Biological Center had a busy weekend, after staff rescued two injured turtles and discovered a dead dolphin in different parts of the island.
An injured male Olive Ridley sea turtle, aged between 15 and 20 years old, was washed up on Patong Beach on Saturday (October 5) around 10pm, after its front left flipper was cut off by a boat propeller.
The following day on Sunday (October 6), another injured turtle was found washed up on Nai Harn beach, with both her front flippers cut off after being tangled in a seine fishing net.
Both were taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC)
Chief of the Marine Endangered Species Unit at the PMBC, Dr Kongkiat Kittiwatthanawong, told The Phuket News the turtle found at Nai Harn was washed ashore in strong waves.
“She washed up on the shore because her two front flippers were cut off, and she could not swim well.
“Both turtles are not out of danger yet, and we have to take special care of them.”
Then this morning at around 10am, staff were called to the Sirinart Marine National Park, on the island’s northwest coast, following a report of a dead dolphin.
The striped male dolphin was aged around 20 years old. The dolphin’s body was taken to the PMBC, where staff will perform an autopsy to find out the cause of death.
Injured turtle washes up on Phuket beach
Phuket News, 7 Oct 13;
PHUKET: An injured Olive Ridley sea turtle was washed up on Patong Beach on Saturday (October 5) around 10pm, with cuts to its flipper.
The turtle, weighing around 30kg, was believed to have been injured after being hit by a boat propeller off Patong Beach.
Tossapol Keunha, 28, contacted Kathu Police after he saw the turtle washed up on the shore in front of the Baan Thai hotel.
The turtle was taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
The Olive Ridley turtle is endangered, and nests in several locations around Thailand.