Leonardo truly is a fighter

Cowabunga dude: Veterinarians from Sabah’s wildlife rescue unit and Scuba Junkies SEAS giving Leonardo a final check before the green sea turtle is released back into the ocean in Sabah’s Pulau Mabul.

KOTA KINABALU: Four months ago, little Leonardo was struggling to survive but the rescued green sea turtle is now the little ninja that could.

The tiny fighter thumbed his nose at death and has been released back into Sabah’s east coast Semporna waters.

When he was found by members of the Tropical and Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) in the shallow waters on Pom Pom island, he was lethargic, emaciated and covered in algae and small barnacles.

“It was obvious that the turtle was not in good shape,” TRACC’s honorary wildlife warden Kit Wu Sien said.

Thanks to the Mabul Turtle Reha­bilitation Centre, Leonardo as he came to be known by his caregivers, was released on Jan 3 by the centre operated by Scuba Junkies SEAS (SJ SEAS) and Sabah Wildlife Depart­ment’s wildlife rescue unit.

He was nursed back to health with a proper food regime.

Kit said the rehabilitation was co-ordinated with the wildlife rescue unit and SJ SEAS to get the turtle to the centre on the same day it was rescued.

“It was hard to see a turtle in such a bad way. However, we knew that the wildlife rescue unit and SJ SEAS had the facilities to intervene,” Kit said.

Wildlife Rescue Unit director Dr Sen Nathan said emergency treatment was administered and a rehabilitation plan put in place for the turtle at the Mabul centre.

“We are very happy it has paid off and that the turtle is able to be released back into the wild. We thank SJ SEAS for their care and attention,” he said.

Dr Sen described this as a lovely start to 2019.

“It is great example of how the government, NGOs and businesses can work together to protect the incredible biodiversity and wildlife of Sabah,” he said.

SJ SEAS conservation manager David McCann said it was great to see Leonardo swim away.

“This is the ninth turtle we have been able to successfully rehabilitate in two years,” he said, adding that it was always a happy occasion.

“If you blink just a bit, you might miss them as they swim off,” he quipped.

McCann said that caring for sick and injured animals was not an easy task. But with the assistance of wildlife veterinarians and warden teams, he said they were able to help in the protection of the endangered species.