Off you go: Juhun (left) carrying Barbara for release to open sea at Pulau Gaya’s Malohom Beach off Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: Two rescued green sea turtles, which were nursed back to good health, have been set free on National Day.
Conservationists at the marine centre of Gaya Island Resort released the endangered creatures, named Covid and Barbara, at Malohom Beach as tourists watched them linger and slowly swim away.
The centre’s resident biologist Scott Mayback said that the two rehabilitated turtles had overcome significant challenges to survive through their care.
He said Covid, estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old, was found floating near a water village on the island in March 2020.
“Covid was diagnosed with a severely damaged carapace, extreme weakness and malnourishment.
“After four years of medication and treatments, surgeries and various forms of therapy, it has made an impressive recovery.”
Barbara, aged between 10 and 15, was rescued at Sabah’s east coast Mabul Island in March last year.
“Although Barbara’s symptoms were similar to those of Covid, they were not as severe.
“We have seen remarkable transformations in both turtles.
“After showing significant improvement, they were transferred to a sea cage to re-experience life in the ocean.
“These beautiful sea creatures are ready to return to the ocean where they belong,” he said, adding that Covid was fitted with a satellite tracker to monitor his progress.
Mayback and YTL Hotels conservation director Justin Juhun led the operation to release the turtles.
Based on experience, conservationists expect the turtles to linger around the area for a few days before venturing into the open sea.
