PHUKET: A turtle estimated to weigh as much a woman washed ashore at Phuket's Karon beach today - latest apparent victim of the slaughter taken place in the sea off Phuket.
The turtle, one of the largest and oldest to come ashore alive on Phuket in recent times, has a lead flipper missing, probably severed by a fishing net.
Estimated to weigh 45 to 50 kilos, the turtle will be taken by marine biologists to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, where it will join 24 other damaged turtles in different stages of recovery.
Biologist Dr Patcharaporn Kaewmong is not hopeful that all of the six turtles, rescued late last month on Phuket and in Phang Nga, will survive.
Some have flippers missing. Others have cuts to their carapace shells.
''Those with serious cuts to their shells cannot dive underwater to feed,'' she said. ''It's so sad. Their chances of survival are slim.''
Environmentalists in the Phuket region are encouraging trawlers to bring their unwanted nets back to shore rather than discard them at sea, where they trap and maim turtles and other creatures.
Plastic items are also confused with food by turtles. Eventually the accumulation of inedible trash in their stomachs kills or chokes the turtles.
The turtle, one of the largest and oldest to come ashore alive on Phuket in recent times, has a lead flipper missing, probably severed by a fishing net.
Estimated to weigh 45 to 50 kilos, the turtle will be taken by marine biologists to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, where it will join 24 other damaged turtles in different stages of recovery.
Biologist Dr Patcharaporn Kaewmong is not hopeful that all of the six turtles, rescued late last month on Phuket and in Phang Nga, will survive.
Some have flippers missing. Others have cuts to their carapace shells.
''Those with serious cuts to their shells cannot dive underwater to feed,'' she said. ''It's so sad. Their chances of survival are slim.''
Environmentalists in the Phuket region are encouraging trawlers to bring their unwanted nets back to shore rather than discard them at sea, where they trap and maim turtles and other creatures.
Plastic items are also confused with food by turtles. Eventually the accumulation of inedible trash in their stomachs kills or chokes the turtles.
what a shame... what a shame...I wanna cry... this is exactly the respect that Phuketians have for the wild life: ZERO!!!
Posted by dave on September 6, 2012 12:44
Editor Comment:
Some Phuketians, perhaps. To blame all for the errors of a few is called bigotry, dave.