January 2022 is proving to be one of the deadliest months for green turtles in Terengganu as today, another carcass of the species was found stranded at a beach in the state, this time in Pantai Kelulut near Marang. This is the 11th carcass of a green turtle that was found in Terengganu within this month alone.
As reported by national news agency Bernama, the carcass of an adult female green turtle was found stranded in a state of decay. It may have died 3 or 4 days ago, most probably from plastic ingestion.
State Fisheries Department director Ruzaidi Mamat said that this latest discovery is increasingly worrying as just yesterday, the carcass of another adult green turtle was found floating in the waters off Pulau Kapas in Marang.
A green turtle carcass found in the waters off Pulau Kapas yesterday.
Ruzaidi further commented on the latest green turtle carcass found in Pantai Kelulut,
“The carcass, measuring about a metre in length and width had been buried in an area where it was found.”
The Green Turtle carcass found at Pantai Kelulut earlier today.
Meanwhile, Syed Afif Hakimi Tengku Abdillah, a 37-year-old civil servant who discovered the carcass said that it was saddening to know that the number of turtle deaths has been on the rise lately. He found the carcass while walking along Pantai Kelulut this morning. Syed Afif added,
“The turtle is an icon of Terengganu. Visitors come to this state because they want to see for themselves the pre-historic reptiles. What is left for the young generation if the turtles become extinct?”
What do you guys think of the increasing number of green turtles’ death in our country lately? Should drastic action be taken to conserve the species by the authorities? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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