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Green Turtle Returns to Nest in Hong Kong
Endangered Green Turtle has returned to nest in Hong Kong following its last nesting here two years ago.
A total of 23 baby turtles were hatched this year under the care of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Releasing baby turtles to the sea is the usual way to protect the species. Nevertheless, as the sea water temperature is now too low for the baby turtles, the department considered it not suitable to release them back to the sea at this time of the year.
The department decided to transfer 18 of them to the Ocean Park for temporary care while keeping the rest for further study.
The department's acting Senior Wetland and Fauna Conservation Officer Simon Chan said Friday, "We will release the baby turtles to the sea about eight months later in the next nesting season when the sea water is warmer and hydrographic conditions permit."
The Green Turtle usually comes to nest from early June to the end of August. On September 29, a time later than the usual sea turtle nesting season, a mother turtle laid 107 eggs at Tai Long Wan beach, Shek O, on Hong Kong Island.
As it is a popular beach which is subject to disturbances due to human activities, it was not a suitable place for natural incubation of turtle eggs. Therefore the eggs were removed by the department's staff for artificial incubation.
The Green Turtle is a highly endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is one of the three species of sea turtles found in Hong Kong waters and so far has been the only species known to breed locally.
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