KUALA TERENGGANU: Leatherback sea turtles, an endangered species of turtle, are reported to have returned to Terengganu waters.
Terengganu Fisheries Department director Pang Nyukang said that the reappearance of the world's largest turtle species was detected through analysis of crawling tracks measuring 2.1m wide on the Pantai Marang shoreline, as well as the discovery of nests with turtle eggs measuring approximately 52m.
He said that 44 turtle eggs found there were safely transferred to the hatchery in Rantau Abang and are expected to hatch within the next seven to nine weeks.
"The reappearance of the 'king of turtles' was reported by the staff of the Terengganu State Fisheries Office. The last time this largest turtle species landed in the waters off Terengganu was in 2017.
"The rediscovery of the leatherback turtle brings new hope that future generations will be able to witness the existence of this ancient creature. It also proves that the Terengganu coast remains a safe habitat and a preferred landing destination for these giant animals," he said in a statement on the Terengganu Fisheries Department's Facebook page on Wednesday (Sept 2).
Pang said the public needs to work together to maintain the cleanliness of the beach and sea for the sustainability of that highly valuable heritage species.
"This is a reminder for all of us to jointly protect and preserve the treasures of nature. Let's all pray that all the turtle eggs found can hatch and the baby turtles can swim back to the ocean safely," he added. – Bernama
