Urgent Care for Confiscated Sea Turtles

While our primary focus remains on dolphin rehabilitation, release and conservation, our team in Bali, Indonesia is hard at work at a variety of initiatives designed to make our area a friendlier — and safer place for all animals.

Third Sea Turtle Raid

Illegal sea turtle traders are arrested, Bali, Indonesia

Unfortunately, the illegal trade of endangered green sea turtles for their meat continues in Bali, with traders collecting the sea turtles from poachers from other Indonesian islands. The reptiles suffer from ruthless capture methods and are often seriously injured in the process.

This year on May 27, a third raid of sea turtles took place in West Bali. The reptiles were found being smuggled in a pickup truck on the way to Denpasar, in the southern part of the island. All had wounds that needed treatment. (Poachers routinely cut their front flippers and push ropes or plastic straps through them to keep the turtles unable to move.)

Our team was able to assist the Jembrana Police with the care of these beautiful creatures of the sea. At our Turtle Hospital, at the multi-purpose Umah Lumba Center, the team provided first aid and medical treatment for the confiscated turtles to assist in their recovery.

Lucky’s injuries were severe

Surgery is performed by Dr. Gusshofi, DVM on Lucky, Umah Lumba Center, West Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Lucky’s injuries are treated at the Umah Lumba Center, West Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Fourteen of the fifteen turtles confiscated were able to be released back to the ocean just after three days of care. Unfortunately, the biggest sea turtle of all, a male whom we named “Lucky” wasn’t so fortunate. Lucky weighs 120kg, and is worth a lot of money to the illegal traders. He had likely been out of the water for days, or even weeks, and his condition was quite poor. His eyes had sunken inward, which is a sign of dehydration. But a bigger medical concern was that he was suffering from a prolapse of his reproductive organ, the hemipene, and had to undergo three surgeries as the organ became necrotic.

It is anticipated that Lucky will spend months at our Turtle Hospital as he will need long term intensive treatment. Sea turtle injuries heal slowly due to their slow metabolism. Due to Lucky’s weight and size, it is more challenging for us to lift him in and out of a sea pen, therefore, we have just prepared a special treatment pen for him, allowing him more movement and space. We are extremely grateful that our team, including two onsite veterinarians is able to give Lucky a second chance at life. He is active, eating well and loves the fresh seaweed we provide on a daily basis. With luck and care, he will recover, and have many years to roam the ocean.

As for the illegal poachers, within 12 hours of the raid, the driver of the pickup truck was arrested, with more traders arrested and sentenced following.

Did you know…

Lucky recuperates from his severe injuries in a special treatment pen, Umah Lumba Center, West Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

At our Turtle Hospital, our on-the-ground team is equipped to respond to calls of injured or distressed turtles. To-date, we have:

• rescued, treated and relocated Hawksbill turtles (critically endangered),
• rescued, treated and released green sea turtles (endangered),
• rescued and cared for Brazilian red cheeked turtles (a species not native to Indonesia), and
• rescued, treated and released olive ridley turtles (vulnerable)

Featured image: Fragile transport of confiscated endangered green sea turtle Lucky to the Umah Lumba Center, West Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com