Locals and tourists witnessing baby turtles making their way to Kudat sea during sunset

KUDAT: Sunset at Kampung Marang Parang beach here on Monday was slightly different as locals and visitors bid their well wishes for baby turtles crawling toward the ocean.

Local honorary wildlife warden Jolnolius Oniau, 33, said the baby turtles release was the first batch at the area for this year.

“At about 6.30pm, the locals and tourists witnessed those 41 turtles made their way into the sea.

“The release was made possible 55 days after a turtle laid its eggs at the shore here,” he said when contacted.

About two months ago, Jolnolius, who works as a boatman with a dive and surf operator here, was among several villagers who discovered the traces of a turtle laid eggs early in the morning.

He said there are 7 from Kampung Marang Parang and 5 from Kampung Bavang Jamal who are trained to look after the turtle eggs until they hatch.

Equipped with knowledge and experience to handle such a situation, the community gently dug several possible spots where the turtle hid its eggs.

After about 30-minute of search, the team managed to retrieve about 100 of eggs and relocate them into a hatchery that could increase the survival chances of those endangered species.

A hole with about 65-cm depth, which simulates the natural way for the species to hatch, is prepared in the hatchery to keep those eggs.

“Normally, the turtle would return and lay eggs five times a year. But, perhaps due to environmental issues (pollution), the frequency is less now,” Jolnolius added.

It is learned the next batch of turtle releasing at the same place is expected to be on Nov 16.