Bengkulu (Antara) - The Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation of Forestry Ministry released three species of sea turtles in the Pantai Panjang Nature Park, Bengkulu on Monday.
"There are 150 turtles that have been released in Pantai Panjang Nature Park," stated Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Sony Partono, at Pantai Panjang.
Sony stated that the three species of sea turtles that were released are green turtles, hawksbills and olive ridley turtles.
The young turtles or so-called "tukik" are captives of the Youth Group of Nature and Environment Lovers of Air Hitam Village, Mukomuko Regency.
Head of The Natural Resources Conservation Board of Mukomuko, Rasyidin Prima, stated that the releasing of sea turtles at Pantai Panjang is part of the 2014 National Press Day proceedings.
"The releasing of sea turtles will be done in two stages. The second stage will be conducted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," he noted.
Rasyidin pointed out that the green turtle is one of the rare species that lay eggs at Air Hitam Nature Park Beach, Mukomuko. But, the rarest of species is the olive ridley turtles.
According to Rasyidin, the release of sea turtles in Pantai Panjang area was done to restore the presences of turtles in the waters around it.
"Formerly, the Pantai Panjang is the one location for the turtles to lay eggs," he added.
Rasyidin explained that there are six species of sea turtles that still lay eggs on the Bengkulu Beach namely green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), flatback (Natator depressus), olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivaceae) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriaceae).
The sixth type of turtle is a protected species and must be preserved. (*)
Reporting by Helti Marini Sipayung
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2014
Editor : FAROCHA
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Jawa Timur 2014
