Rantau Abang beach draws another leatherback turtle to lay eggs

The Rantau Abang beach in Terengganu has once more attracted the world's largest turtle species, the leatherback turtle, to come ashore and lay eggs. Fisheries director-general Adnan Hussain reported this to be the fifth such sighting along the Terengganu coast since September. The turtle arrived at around 3am, deposited its eggs at 4.30am, and returned to the sea by 5.45am.

Forty-eight eggs were gathered and moved to a controlled hatchery at the Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre for observation. This brings the cumulative number of leatherback turtle eggs recorded from the five landings to 313, Adnan stated. The first sighting was at Pantai Pasir Putih on September 1, resulting in 44 eggs; the second occurred at Pantai Rantau Abang on September 13, yielding 81 eggs; the third was at Pantai Kuala Abang on September 22, producing 70 eggs; and the fourth was at Pantai Jambu Bongkok on October 1, also with 70 eggs.

Investigation of the recent landing site revealed a turtle track measuring 2.1m by 15m, and the original nest was approximately 110cm deep. TCIC staff also measured the turtle at the landing site. Monitoring efforts are coordinated with the Rantau Abang Fisheries Research Institute to safeguard landing sites and protect turtle nests and eggs.

Adnan emphasized the importance of controlled egg management, nest monitoring, and site protection for turtle conservation, especially for species under threat. He also highlighted the significance of public cooperation in these conservation efforts, urging the public not to interfere with turtles, take their eggs, or harm their nests.

Any sightings or nest findings should be reported to the fisheries department immediately. The protection of turtles and their eggs is regulated by laws such as the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Terengganu Turtle Enactment.