Polairud NTT Rescues Weakened Hawksbill Turtle in Labuan Bajo Waters

Personnel from the Directorate of Water and Air Police of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police have rescued a hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) that was unable to swim and had become weakened in Labuan Bajo waters, Manggarai Barat Regency.

The Director of the Water and Air Police Directorate of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Irwan Deffi Nasution, stated in Kupang on Tuesday that the hawksbill turtle was found floating and unable to swim because its body was covered with barnacles.

“There were many barnacles found all over its body, from its shell to all other parts,” said Irwan.

Observing the condition of the protected animal, personnel from the Water and Air Police Directorate, along with crew members from a nearby tour boat, immediately conducted a rescue operation.

At approximately 09:47 local time, the turtle was successfully secured and brought aboard the patrol vessel KP.P Padar XXII-3018 to have the barnacles attached to its body removed.

At approximately 11:30 local time, a team from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (BKKPN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) arrived at the patrol vessel to conduct a health examination and measurement of the turtle.

However, as the turtle’s condition showed no signs of improvement, the Water and Air Police Directorate, together with teams from BKKPN and WWF, decided to transport the animal to a care pool operated by BKKPN in Labuan Bajo.

“For now, the turtle is being cared for in BKKPN’s pool until its condition recovers. Once it is declared healthy, the turtle will be released back to its natural habitat,” said Irwan Deffi Nasution.