Two green turtles released into the waters of Aceh’s Banyak Island

Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) – Two of the four green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) rescued from hunters on June 29 were released into the waters of Banyak Island in Aceh Singkil, Aceh on Friday.

The protected sea turtles were released by personnel from the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), local police and residents, said agency head Ujang Wisnu Barata.

Barata told reporters on Saturday that the other two green sea turtles were released into their habitat on July 3 and 9.

On June 29, Aceh Singkil police and the Search and Rescue Service arrested a man and his son from Nias Utara in North Sumatra for capturing six green sea turtles in the waters around Palambak Island.

Two of the six sea turtles were found dead on the suspects’ boat, Barata said. The remaining turtles were released after veterinarians confirmed they were healthy.

“We are proud that Banyak Island is home to several sea turtles,” Barata said. “It is our responsibility to preserve them for future generations.”

The Indonesian archipelago is home to several iconic animal species, including sea turtles.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia reports that six of the seven species of sea turtles recognized by scientists occur in the country.

According to the official website of WWF Indonesia, four of these six species – green sea turtles, leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) – lay their eggs in different coastal areas of the country.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, Indonesia’s waters are also the most important migration route for sea turtles at the crossroads of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The coastal areas of Abun in Tambrauw, West Papua, are known as the largest breeding grounds for leatherback turtles in the Pacific Ocean.

The Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan have been identified by WWF Indonesia as the largest breeding ground for green sea turtles in Southeast Asia.

On the island of Java, Trisik Beach in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta is also known as a breeding ground for green sea turtles.

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