KOTA KINABALU: Over a hundred turtle hatchlings returned to the ocean hoping for a chance of survival after they hatched from the Walai Penyu Conservation Park in Libaran, Sandakan.
The park’s founder and Managing Director Alexander Yee said the release on the night of Oct 16 saw a total of 83 Hawksbill turtles and 90 Green turtles waddle into the sea.
They were nested on Aug 18 and Aug 21 respectively, he said, adding that most releases were done at night so that predators are less aware and there would be a bigger survival chance for the hatchlings.
He said this release is a positive sign of their conservation efforts on the endangered turtle species in Sabah.
Yee said on average, the park can see some five to six landings per month, which amounts to over 400 to 500 hatchlings if all hatches are successful.
As the park involves communities and visitors in its conservation efforts, the latest hatchling release was also witnessed by foreign visitors who are interested in learning about Sabah’s environmental and wildlife protection initiatives.
He said locals and foreign visitors needed to understand the importance of wildlife and marine conservation for the continuity of species in Sabah.
Most importantly, locals must value the flora and fauna this land below the wind has to offer, Yee stated.
All initiatives must start from home, and continue at home before others can join in and help to make any effort work out, he said.
During this event, apart from witnessing the release of the hatchlings, visitors also had the opportunity to participate in community-based tourism activities such as basket weaving and kuih making.
