Two Large Sea Turtles Found Dead on Gunungkidul Beaches on Consecutive Days

The Satlinmas Rescue Istimewa Region II of Baron Beach reported that two large sea turtles were stranded at Nglolang Beach and Sepanjang Beach respectively. Both were already emitting an odour and were eventually buried so as not to disturb the comfort of tourists.

Secretary of Satlinmas Rescue Istimewa Region II of Baron Beach, Surisdiyanto, explained that initially one of the members of Satlinmas Rescue Istimewa Region II, Wasno (48), was patrolling Nglolang Beach today at around 11.00 WIB. Wasno then spotted a sea turtle floating in the waters off the beach.

“After checking, it turned out the large sea turtle was already dead and emitting a foul odour,” said Surisdiyanto when contacted by journalists on Sunday (23/8/2026).

The turtle measured 65 cm in length, 35 cm in width and weighed around 30 kg. Officers subsequently evacuated the turtle to the edge of Nglolang Beach.

“The species and cause of death of the turtle are not yet known,” he said.

Surisdiyanto stated that the large sea turtle was already emitting an unpleasant odour, indicating it had likely been dead for more than 24 hours.

“Because it was already emitting an unpleasant odour, the turtle was immediately buried in the sand,” he said.

Surisdiyanto revealed that a similar incident also occurred yesterday, Saturday (22/8), at Sepanjang Beach. The dead turtle was found by a trader at the beach, Fajar (38), who was selling his wares.

“The witness then saw a sea turtle stranded on the beach edge and after approaching it, it turned out the turtle was already dead and emitting a foul odour,” he said.

Upon the discovery, Fajar immediately reported it to the Satlinmas officers on duty at Sepanjang Beach. The officers then evacuated the large sea turtle.

“The species of the turtle is not yet known, but it weighed around 20 kilograms, was about 60 centimetres long and about 30 centimetres wide,” he said.

After evacuating the turtle, the officers immediately buried it in the sand. This was done because the turtle was already emitting an unpleasant odour.

“So this weekend there were two dead sea turtles stranded on the beaches,” he said.