ABOVE: Rescue workers help transport the injured turtle to the Marine Biology Centre. Photo: The Phuket News
An Olive Ridley sea turtle with a slashed flipper was found washed up on Mai Khao Beach on Tuesday. Officials have said the damaged flipper was caused by a fishing net.
Kusoldharm rescue workers and Phuket Marine Biology Centre officials were called to help transport the 5- to 7-year-old male found washed up on the beach.
“The wound is fresh and the turtle ‘s flipper was bleeding when lifeguards found it,” an official from the Phuket Marine Biology Centre said. “There were no other injuries found on the turtle, but it was very weak due to loss of blood.
“The turtle was given first aid before being placed it a temporary pool with the recently rescued dolphin,” he said. “Both marine animals will be monitiored 24 hours a day.”
“I was walking down the beach monitoring tourists when I saw a wave sweep the turtle onto the beach,” one of the lifeguards who discovered the turtle said. “When I noticed it was injured I called the Marine Biology Centre.”
“Having examined the wound, we think the turtle got tangled in a fishing net,” another center official said. “Male Olive Ridleys are considered rare in Thailand and we usually only find females.”
He said the public’s help is important to their mission.
“Fisherman need to help us preserve and protect marine animals. If a turtle gets trapped or tangled in a fishing net don’t just cut the net and dump it in sea. Free the turtle from the net.
“When it come to exotic and rare animals everybody has to help, especially here in Mai Khao Beach, which is a habitat for all species of sea turtles. Every year many of them will come here to lay their eggs.”
Story: The Phuket News
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