SHE'S deposited more eggs . . . and lifted the hopes of those who believe more rare species of turtles can perhaps be encouraged to return to the shores of ''Greater Phuket.''
The giant leatherback, weighing up to 300 kilos and measuring about 2.7 metres across, returned to a secluded beach in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, early today, for the third time, to lay eggs.
Biologists and rangers were expecting her tonight but delighted to see her come ashore.
She could keep coming back up to seven times, every 12 days or so, in an egg-laying cycle that Phuketwan has been told only takes place once every 25 years for leatherbacks.
Last year a smaller leatherback came ashore at the same beach to lay eggs just once.
Rangers and biologists are hoping that the appearance of the giant leatherback this year is a sign that efforts to encourage all five species that are native to the Andaman coastline may be paying off.
The Royal Thai Navy and resorts along the coast have been prime supporters of campaigns to hatch eggs in captivity and release them as immature young turtles, but leatherbacks cannot be raised in captivity.
A 24-hour watch is being kept on the places where the giant leatherback has deposited her eggs, laying around 100 each time.
The latest batch of 105 came around 12.30am today.
'Greater Phuket' Wins Back a Giant LeatherbackThe giant leatherback, weighing up to 300 kilos and measuring about 2.7 metres across, returned to a secluded beach in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, early today, for the third time, to lay eggs.
Biologists and rangers were expecting her tonight but delighted to see her come ashore.
She could keep coming back up to seven times, every 12 days or so, in an egg-laying cycle that Phuketwan has been told only takes place once every 25 years for leatherbacks.
Last year a smaller leatherback came ashore at the same beach to lay eggs just once.
Rangers and biologists are hoping that the appearance of the giant leatherback this year is a sign that efforts to encourage all five species that are native to the Andaman coastline may be paying off.
The Royal Thai Navy and resorts along the coast have been prime supporters of campaigns to hatch eggs in captivity and release them as immature young turtles, but leatherbacks cannot be raised in captivity.
A 24-hour watch is being kept on the places where the giant leatherback has deposited her eggs, laying around 100 each time.
The latest batch of 105 came around 12.30am today.
Latest Always a remarkable coastline, the Andaman shores of 'Greater Phuket' are now the scene of a rare natural event as a giant leatherback turtle returns time and again to lay eggs.
'Greater Phuket' Wins Back a Giant Leatherback
On Phuket Beaches, 'Tis the Season to be Jelly
Latest Last year's jellyfish alarms did not produce reports of large numbers of serious stings. But if jellyfish do arrive on Phuket, what precautions should be taken?
On Phuket Beaches, 'Tis the Season to be Jelly
Andaman Turtles Set to Become Tracker Tourists
Latest Two turtles are set for a grand adventure that people in Phuket and Phang Nga will be able to track via GPS satellite. Look out for trawler nets and hungry fishermen, you guys!
Andaman Turtles Set to Become Tracker Tourists
Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year 2009
Phuketwan Award Our award this year could have gone to Winai 'JJ' Neiman but we opted instead for someone who deserves the recognition for his visionary work in more than one field.
Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year 2009
MediaWATCH: Phuket's Rivals Have Troubles Too
Phuket News Digest Bali worries about dirty beaches; Penang scores low on beach safety; Backpackers set Thai claims record; Church violence grows; JAL expected to quit; Armani moves up.
MediaWATCH: Phuket's Rivals Have Troubles Too
Phuket Boat Show Indicates Smoother Sailing
Latest The Pimex Phuket International Boat Show has been hailed as a success and potentially a pointer to better economic times. It will be a separate event again next year, says the managing director.
Phuket Boat Show Indicates Smoother Sailing
Planet Phuket: Government Action is Needed Now
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Planet Phuket: Government Action is Needed Now
VDO on http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews2.php?news_id=1284 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAcuPk0kc10
From Friday's edition of Andaman News on NBT TV:
item--3--- Two sea turtles were released into the Andaman Sea with satellite tracking system devices as part of research on their life cycles.
Two sea turtles carrying satellite tracking system Platform transmitter (or GPS Argos PTT) were recently released into Andaman Sea at Thai Muang Beach in Phang-Nga at Aleenta Resort & Spa who raised half a million baht in funds through their hotel guests. The devices were installed on the backs of two one year old turtles. The project is carried out by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (or PMBC) which join hands with the French Argos company to conduct research study and monitor such rare sea turtles' life cycles, behavior and their food sources. PMBC's Marine Ecological system expert Supot Chantraporn said the signal on the turtles' back will be detected by satellite when they emerge on the water's surface. Reports then appear via internet for the PMBC to study. He went on to express his concerns over the sharp decline of the sea turtle population due to rapid tourism growth and fishing industry. The best food source for sea turtles in the Andaman Sea is reported to be near Nicobar Island.
item--4--- Turtles laid eggs on beaches at Lanta in Krabi and Thai Muang in Phang Nga.
Phuket Marine Biological Centre sent Andaman News these remarkable videos made by Yuthachark Pimolsiripol, Manager of Go Dive Lanta Company on Christmas night of 25 December 2009 at Lanta Yai Island in Krabi province. This nice scene, of a leatherback turtle laying eggs in the same place she was born, is rarely seen these days, as many turtles are usually scared away from busy overdeveloped beaches with bright lights and noisy people. He told us that night not so many people were around because most parties were held on Christmas Eve. He didn't want to disturb the huge turtle by camera flashing because she was laying 85 eggs when he arrived. He was so upset because he saw some local people and tourists trying to touch them and take photos with flashes even when he tried to stop them but it didn't work. The turtle was around 2.5-3 meters long. They kept the eggs in the secret place because they didn't want people to take them. Then he informed staff from PMBC to come to make a research report. Kanjana Adulyanukosol from PMBC also told us with these photos that on January 2 this year there was another nest made by a rare majestic and large leatherback turtle at Thai Muang beach laying 113 eggs on that visit. This turtle had come ashore 12 days before in December, when she laid 99 eggs in the sand.
Posted by NBT TV Phuket on January 11, 2010 15:06