Three sea turtles under care after washing up on Phuket beaches
A Green Turtle and two Hawksbill Sea Turtles were found washed up on Phuket’s Laypang, Kata and Kamala Beaches on Saturday.
Officials at the Phuket Marine Endangered Species Unit were notified that a turtle had been washed up on to Laypang Beach entangled in a fishing net. Staff members at a Cherng Talay hotel had quickly freed the turtle from the fishing net upon discovery.
Officials said the Green Turtle is 5-7 years old, weighs 7.4 kilograms and is 41cm across the shell. Scratches were found on its shell and flippers. The turtle is still strong but requires treatment at a care centre.
Another turtle was then found stuck entangled in a fishing net at Kata Beach. Local residents were helping to free the turtle from the net when marine officials arrived to help and provide advice and veterinary care.
Officials said this Hawksbill Sea Turtle is 2-5 years old, weighs 2.6 kilograms and is 30cm across the shell. Its flippers were swollen from its ordeal. Veterinarians have provided injections and medication to prevent an infection and will keep it under watch until it recovers for later release.
On the same day, Kamala rescue workers were notified that a turtle had been washed up on Kamala Beach near the Kamala Police Station. Officials said that Hawksbill Sea Turtle was 3-5 year old.
Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/three-sea-turtles-washed-up-on-phuket-beaches