Pattaya - Turtles and Sea Cows spotted for the first time
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Monday 8th January 2007
Turtles and Sea Cows spotted for the first time in Pattaya and Sattahip.
Some unusual sightings of marine wildlife now beginning at Sattahip where journalists spotted some unusual creatures enjoying themselves in the waters off of the Sattahip Navy Base. Sea Cows are normally seen in the Andaman Ocean but for the first time ever in this part of Thailand they have been spotted. One possible reason is the abundance of sea grass at the location which is also new to the area and is a popular food for the sea lions. It is believed that a change in average sea temperatures around Sattahip is causing the sea grass to flourish which in turn is attracting the sea lions.
We now come closer to home and a report of sea turtles which have been spotted in the waters off the North side of Sark Island. It is believed that around 10 turtles have taken up residence at the location and according to a local diving center, the Banzai Dive Center located at the south end of Pattaya Third Road, diving expeditions to the area are now becoming more popular, especially to a site where a decommissioned navy ship was sunk about 4 months ago. It is this new marine environment which is thought to have attracted the turtles to this area.
Phuket leads, Pattaya follows
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KARON: A giant leatherback turtle on December 25 laid a nest of 103 eggs on Karon Beach, where a sea turtle has not been sighted laying eggs for more than 10 years.
Karon Municipality officials had the task of recovering the eggs as local villagers had taken them all in hopes of selling them as a delicacy. All but two broken eggs were recovered and taken to incubate at the Phuket Marine Biology Center (PMBC).
Karon Deputy Mayor Ittipol Sangkaew explained that the eggs sell for about 60 baht each. “But after we explained to the villagers that we should let the eggs hatch so that the next generation can see real, live sea turtles – not just pictures of them – they agreed to give them back,” he said.
“I haven’t seen this kind of turtle for 10 years,” K. Ittipol said.
“The turtle will likely return within the next 10 days to lay another clutch of eggs.
“Female turtles lay 500 to 600 eggs at different times over the breeding season, so we have posted security guards along the beachfront to protect the eggs and the turtle, and to allow people to watch from a safe distance as she lays her eggs,” he added.
PMBC Biologist Kanjana Adulyanukosol said that the eggs should hatch in about 60 days.
“After the eggs hatch we will take care of the hatchlings for about a month before we release them back to sea, which should be at Karon Beach because it is near the open sea,” she said.
“I’m not sure if all of these eggs are healthy, however, because they were moved by people and may not hatch,” she added. K. Kanjana said that turtles are known to lay eggs at only three beaches in Phuket: Mai Khao Beach, Nai Harn Beach and Karon Beach.
Phuket Gazette
