20 rescued green turtles released back into the wild

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Twenty of the 22 green turtles rescued from suspected smuggling off Serangan Beach in South Denpasar, Bali, have been released after being declared healthy and fit to return to their natural habitat.

The other two turtles are still receiving medical care at the Serangan Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said in Jakarta on Thursday.

The release was carried out on 13 October by a team from the Denpasar Marine Management Office, together with the Bali Regional Police’s Water and Air Police Directorate and conservation partners.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the rescue of protected wildlife does not end once the animals have been secured. Health checks and treatment are essential before turtles can be returned to their natural habitat.

The rescue began after local fishers reported early on Saturday (10 October) that a suspicious unmanned boat was at the coast of Serangan Beach.

Following up on the report, a Bali Police team conducted a patrol and found 22 large green turtles alive aboard the boat.

All the turtles were evacuated to the Serangan TCEC for observation and health checks by a team of veterinarians from Udayana University.

Following the medical examinations, 20 turtles were deemed fit for release, while the other two required further treatment.

KKP Director General of Marine Management Koswara said the handling of protected marine wildlife must bring together law enforcement, health recovery and release, while observing animal-welfare principles.

Green turtles are protected animals that play an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows. Their survival is also threatened by illegal trade and various human activities that disturb their habitat.

In Indonesia, green turtles are protected under Law No. 5/1990 on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, as amended by Law No. 32/2024.

Green turtles are also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly regulates international trade in the species.