Ninh Thuan: Over 900 young turtles released to sea

According to the park’s staff, the park is one of the only two sites in the country where turtles come to lay egg. The other place is the Con Dao National Park. 

Pham Anh Dung, deputy head of the park’s Sea Preservation Division, said turtles often lay eggs from June to October each year. Early rain and appropriate humidity this year has resulted in the largest number of eggs in five years. 

His division has counted 70 turtles coming onto land to lay eggs, with 1,400 eggs found. 

According to statistics from 2008 to 2015, the project on preserving sea turtles at the Nui Chua National Park rescued 6,000 young turtles and released them to sea. Twenty-five adult turtles were also treated for diseases and released. 

In June this year, a turtle rescue area was established to rescue and treat captured turtles before releasing them into the wild.

Dung said the number of sea turtles is severely declining due to many reasons, including the catch of sea turtles for their meat, eggs and shells. In addition, destructive fishing methods such as using explosives or chemicals destroy turtles’ living environment. 

The egg-laying area and food resources of turtle are also reduced due to pollution or construction activities in coastal areas. 

The Nui Chua National Park has created a plan to manage and preserve a marine reserve for the 2016-2020 period, which includes activities to preserve sea turtles. The plan has been approved by the Ninh Thuan People’s Committee.