Latest news with #Hawksbills
The Sun
02-08-2025
- General
- The Sun
Solo, silent crusade to save turtles
TIOMAN: On a quiet stretch of Bunot Beach here, one man is executing quiet but determined efforts to protect endangered sea turtles, armed with nothing more than a deep conviction and a handful of makeshift tools. Mohd Don Mustapa, 54, runs Sekochi Campsite, a humble beachfront retreat that doubles as an improvised nursery for turtle hatchlings. 'I used to see (a lot of) turtles come ashore during nesting season when I was 12. Now, I wait a whole year just to see (much less),' said Abang Don, as he is known on the island. A Tioman native, Mohd Don has no formal training or funding. What he does have is a lifetime of lived experience and a deep-rooted love for the wildlife at the island. For the past four years, he has been collecting turtle eggs, protecting them from predators such as monitor lizards, monkeys, birds and even humans. Unlike government-backed centres, his approach is raw, personal and instinctive. Hatchlings are kept for up to four months, longer than most centres, until they are strong enough to survive at sea. 'In the wild, they are easy targets for crabs, sharks and birds. If we release them too early, they won't survive. That's why I wait until they are ready.' His resolve intensified after a particularly harrowing incident during the monsoon season. 'A monkey grabbed a hatchling, bit off its head and limbs and left the rest,' he recounted. 'We saved 16 but none made it. Monitor lizards usually swallow them whole but monkeys... they are brutal.' Mohd Don now cares for two species, green turtles and Hawksbills. 'The Hawksbills are aggressive. You can't keep two in the same container or one will die,' he said. 'Greens are gentler but even they need to be separated after a month.' Despite his barebones setup consisting of a few tents and several containers, the results are extraordinary. Last year alone, he raised and released more than 100 hatchlings, with an estimated survival rate of 85%. Still, the emotional toll is real. 'When I release them, it's like letting go of your own child. You worry if they would survive and wonder where they would go. 'But when they dive into the water, there is a sense of peace.' Turtles released from Tioman may swim as far as Thailand or Brazil. But if they survive to adulthood, they will return to the exact beach they were born. He remembers one green turtle that turned back during release and tried to crawl into his pocket. 'It was like she knew she wasn't ready to leave,' he said with a smile. However, running the private operation does not come cheap. When donations dry up, Mohd Don and his small team venture out into rough seas to catch food themselves. He said said Berjaya Tioman Resort has emerged as a key supporter, stepping in to provide not just supplies but visibility. The resort has donated containers, food and regularly brings its guests to learn from his unique, hands-on preservation approach. 'They have been a huge help. They support us with equipment and sometimes even bring their staff and tourists here. That kind of awareness is just as important as funding.' The Pahang government has also stepped in with some support, allowing him to gradually expand his efforts. But challenges remain – unpredictable weather, predators and a chronic lack of funds. Still, he remains undeterred. 'This isn't a (full-fledged) centre. It's just a campsite. But it's also a place of hope.' More than 400 eggs are expected to hatch soon, with new nests discovered across the island. Mohd Don's mission is not just about saving turtles, it is about keeping alive a piece of Tioman's soul. 'Turtles remember their birth beach for up to 40 years. That is why every egg we save matters.' He hopes the next generation would not have to rely on photographs and videos to know about the marine heritage in Tioman. 'We want them to see the real thing.' And thanks to one man's quiet, unyielding dedication, they just might.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Incredible pictures capture rare moment off Aussie coast: 'Extremely important'
Conservationists are celebrating the rescue of a critically endangered pregnant hawksbill turtle that had become stuck on a remote island off the Australian coast. Speaking to Yahoo News, a spokesperson from Queensland's Department of the Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) said rangers were visiting Womer Cay — a small, sparsely vegetated cay about 65 kilometres east of Bamaga — when the incredible rescue took place. The mission occurred while crews were visiting some of the state's most northern parks earlier this year, during a trip from Lockhart River to Horn Island. During surveys for crested terns and lesser crested terns, a type of seabird, a female hawksbill turtle was discovered wedged beneath a large piece of driftwood. Ranger Katie Bampton speculated that the turtle had likely been attempting to reach the beach to lay a clutch of eggs when she became seriously stuck. "Thankfully she was spotted and ranger Joman Tomasello carefully removed her from the log and carried her to the ocean," Katie said. "We assumed she had been stuck since the previous evening when she came ashore to lay, and we found her around 11am." Rare sight in the sky leaves beachgoers in total awe Aussie council under pressure as iconic species ravaged Aussies warned as tourist beach braces for phenomenon "She would've been stuck for hours and due to the very hot conditions, we believe she wouldn't have survived much longer." Not only is it rare for people to see a hawksbill in the wild, the rescue is significant because the hawksbill turtle is critically endangered, meaning its population is extremely low and its survival is at risk. The rescue of a pregnant turtle is especially important, as it not only saves an individual animal but also helps ensure the continuation of the species. Hawksbill turtles play a vital role in marine ecosystems by maintaining the health of coral reefs. Their protection is crucial for biodiversity. Katie said after some initial hesitation, the soon-to-be mum eventually swam free. "The water would've felt so good, and we're hoping she returned to Womer Cay that evening to come ashore and lay a clutch of eggs," she said. "While we were on Womer Cay, we saw track marks on the beach where turtles had come ashore to lay, and we saw pits in the sand where clutches had hatched." She explained the turtles are so vulnerable largely due to the impacts of climate change, accidental capture in fishing equipment and reef habitat destruction. "The rangers who were on that trip are thrilled that we were able to rescue her and send her on her way," Katie said. These small cays in the Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are remote but they are extremely important for bird life and turtles." Hawksbills are small but fast swimmers, with females nesting around four times each season, laying around 140 eggs. They are highly migratory, travelling thousands of kilometres between nesting and feeding grounds. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Sky News
15-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Sea turtle Barnacle Bill treated at UK's first dedicated rehab centre
The number of sea turtles washing up on UK beaches has more than doubled in recent years, prompting the creation of the country's first dedicated rehabilitation centre in Brighton. Last year, 35 sea turtles were found stranded on British shores, compared to just 12 in 2022. Many arrive suffering from severe hypothermia, disoriented by storms and ocean currents - an issue that experts say is being driven by climate change. Of the seven species of sea turtle, three are classified as endangered, with two of those, Hawksbills and Kemp's Ridleys, being critically endangered. In response, SEA LIFE Brighton has opened the UK's first purpose-built Turtle Rehabilitation and Repatriation Centre, providing specialist care to nurse these vulnerable creatures back to health. 2:11 The project was the brainchild of SEA LIFE's curator Joe Williams. He told Sky News: "Turtles shouldn't be turning up here in the UK. Climate change is a massive driver in this. "Climate change leads to more storms, and storms can very much disorient turtles when they're out at sea. Then particularly when they're in cold waters, they lose control of their limbs." The centre opened in December, and already had its first patient: Barnacle Bill, a loggerhead turtle that was rescued off the coast of Guernsey in 2023. SEA LIFE aquarist Grace Cavanagh said: "She's named Barnacle Bill because she was found with a lot of barnacles on her. "And that means she's probably been floating about cold stunned, hypothermic for quite a while. There's been a lot of critical care for her to make sure she was okay." Barnacle Bill was treated for hypothermia in Guernsey, and the focus now is on rehabilitation, so she is ready to be returned to the wild. Read more from Sky News: William and Kate mark Valentine's Day with romantic photo What we know about asteroid that could hit Earth Unlike the other turtles at SEA LIFE Brighton, Bill is not on display. She is housed in a special tank, behind strict biosecurity measures, to limit human exposure. Bill has a regular regime of "enrichment" to try and stimulate her natural behaviours such as swimming, exploration and feeding. The tank has a wave machine to mimic the sea, and Bill's meals are sometimes hidden beneath rocks to encourage her natural foraging instincts. Get Sky News on WhatsApp Follow our channel and never miss an update. Tap here to follow Once she's ready, Barnacle Bill will be transported back to the wild aboard a Royal Navy warship. Although there's no definite schedule, the team at SEA LIFE say it could be any day now. But with turtle strandings rising every year, the Brighton centre may not stay empty for long. Main image: GSPCA Guernsey
Sky News
15-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Sea turtle Barnacle Bill treated by UK's first dedicated rehab centre
The number of sea turtles washing up on UK beaches has more than doubled in recent years, prompting the creation of the country's first dedicated rehabilitation centre in Brighton. Last year, 35 sea turtles were found stranded on British shores, compared to just 12 in 2022. Many arrive suffering from severe hypothermia, disoriented by storms and ocean currents - an issue that experts say is being driven by climate change. Of the seven species of sea turtle, three are classified as endangered, with two of those, Hawksbills and Kemp's Ridleys, being critically endangered. In response, SEA LIFE Brighton has opened the UK's first purpose-built Turtle Rehabilitation and Repatriation Centre, providing specialist care to nurse these vulnerable creatures back to health. 2:11 The project was the brainchild of SEA LIFE's curator Joe Williams. He told Sky News: "Turtles shouldn't be turning up here in the UK. Climate change is a massive driver in this. "Climate change leads to more storms, and storms can very much disorient turtles when they're out at sea. Then particularly when they're in cold waters, they lose control of their limbs." The centre opened in December, and already had its first patient: Barnacle Bill, a loggerhead turtle that was rescued off the coast of Guernsey in 2023. SEA LIFE aquarist Grace Cavanagh said: "She's named Barnacle Bill because she was found with a lot of barnacles on her. "And that means she's probably been floating about cold stunned, hypothermic for quite a while. There's been a lot of critical care for her to make sure she was okay." Barnacle Bill was treated for hypothermia in Guernsey, and the focus now is on rehabilitation, so she is ready to be returned to the wild. Read more from Sky News: William and Kate mark Valentine's Day with romantic photo What we know about asteroid that could hit Earth Unlike the other turtles at SEA LIFE Brighton, Bill is not on display. She is housed in a special tank, behind strict biosecurity measures, to limit human exposure. Bill has a regular regime of "enrichment" to try and stimulate her natural behaviours such as swimming, exploration and feeding. The tank has a wave machine to mimic the sea, and Bill's meals are sometimes hidden beneath rocks to encourage her natural foraging instincts. Get Sky News on WhatsApp Follow our channel and never miss an update. Tap here to follow Once she's ready, Barnacle Bill will be transported back to the wild aboard a Royal Navy warship. Although there's no definite schedule, the team at SEA LIFE say it could be any day now. But with turtle strandings rising every year, the Brighton centre may not stay empty for long. Main image: GSPCA Guernsey
Sky News
15-02-2025
- Science
- Sky News
Meet Barnacle Bill - the sea turtle treated by UK's first dedicated rehabilitation centre
The number of sea turtles washing up on UK beaches has more than doubled in recent years, prompting the creation of the country's first dedicated rehabilitation centre in Brighton. Last year, 35 sea turtles were found stranded on British shores, compared to just 12 in 2022. Many arrive suffering from severe hypothermia, disoriented by storms and ocean currents - an issue that experts say is being driven by climate change. Of the seven species of sea turtle, three are classified as endangered, with two of those, Hawksbills and Kemp's Ridleys, being critically endangered. In response, SEA LIFE Brighton has opened the UK's first purpose-built Turtle Rehabilitation and Repatriation Centre, providing specialist care to nurse these vulnerable creatures back to health. 2:11 The project was the brainchild of SEA LIFE's curator Joe Williams. He told Sky News: "Turtles shouldn't be turning up here in the UK. Climate change is a massive driver in this. "Climate change leads to more storms, and storms can very much disorient turtles when they're out at sea. Then particularly when they're in cold waters, they lose control of their limbs." The centre opened in December, and already had its first patient: Barnacle Bill, a loggerhead turtle that was rescued off the coast of Guernsey in 2023. SEA LIFE aquarist Grace Cavanagh said: "She's named Barnacle Bill because she was found with a lot of barnacles on her. "And that means she's probably been floating about cold stunned, hypothermic for quite a while. There's been a lot of critical care for her to make sure she was okay." Barnacle Bill was treated for hypothermia in Guernsey, and the focus now is on rehabilitation, so she is ready to be returned to the wild. Read more from Sky News: William and Kate mark Valentine's Day with romantic photo What we know about asteroid that could hit Earth Unlike the other turtles at SEA LIFE Brighton, Bill is not on display. She is housed in a special tank, behind strict biosecurity measures, to limit human exposure. Bill has a regular regime of "enrichment" to try and stimulate her natural behaviours such as swimming, exploration and feeding. The tank has a wave machine to mimic the sea, and Bill's meals are sometimes hidden beneath rocks to encourage her natural foraging instincts. Get Sky News on WhatsApp Follow our channel and never miss an update. Tap here to follow Once she's ready, Barnacle Bill will be transported back to the wild aboard a Royal Navy warship. Although there's no definite schedule, the team at SEA LIFE say it could be any day now. But with turtle strandings rising every year, the Brighton centre may not stay empty for long. Main image: GSPCA Guernsey
