West Kalimantan Government Releases Rehabilitated Hawksbill Turtle Back into the Sea

The West Kalimantan Provincial Government, through the Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP), together with the Pontianak Marine Management Office and the Sealife Indonesia Foundation, has released a hawksbill turtle back into the northern waters of Jungkat, West Kalimantan. The turtle was accidentally caught in a fisherman’s net while fishing around Panjang Island, Kubu Raya, on the night of 17 July. The fisherman voluntarily handed the protected animal over to the Pontianak Marine Management Office.

Head of the West Kalimantan DKP, Natalia Karyawati, stated that the release was a concrete step in preserving the marine ecosystem whilst educating the public on the importance of protected marine animal conservation. The release also served as a moment to campaign for marine conservation awareness among the community.

Graziano Raymond, Head of the Administrative Subdivision at the Pontianak Marine Management Office, explained that when the turtle was handed over, its condition was covered in barnacles, requiring treatment and rehabilitation before it could be returned to its natural habitat. The protected animal was evacuated and rehabilitated under the supervision of a veterinarian from Sealife Indonesia at the Purnama Animal Clinic for several days prior to its release.

Veterinarian Maulid Dio Sehendro from the Sealife Indonesia Foundation reported that during rehabilitation, the turtle underwent health examinations, including vital sign checks, eye response, jaw tone, physical examination, and full-body radiographic imaging. The results showed no bone abnormalities, fractures, or digestive tract disorders. Over four days of observation, the turtle’s condition consistently improved, with coordinated swimming patterns and a positive feeding response.

Natalia Karyawati added that the hawksbill turtle is a protected species, and the public, particularly fishermen, are urged to immediately release and report any accidental capture of protected marine life during fishing activities. The release was carried out using the West Kalimantan DKP’s fisheries patrol vessel, BI’LAO 02, as Pontianak lacks a sandy beach. The team travelled approximately 1.5 hours from Sungai Rengas Fishing Port to the release site.

The hawksbill turtle, or Eretmochelys imbricata, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and faces threats from illegal trade, coral reef degradation, and fisheries bycatch. Protecting this species is a crucial part of efforts to maintain the sustainability of marine ecosystems and fisheries.