Indonesia returns 20 green sea turtles to ocean after Bali smuggling raid

Serangan Island, in the Indonesian tourist destination of Bali, witnessed the release of 20 protected green sea turtles back into the ocean on Tuesday. This occurred following the seizure of the turtles from a seemingly abandoned boat that was reportedly being used by wildlife smugglers attempting to evade a police raid. The turtles were later examined at a conservation center on Turtle Island, or Serangan Island as it is also known, in southern Bali.

Officers then carefully transferred the turtles, using blue cloths, onto a small truck for their journey to the shoreline. Earlier that same day, on Saturday, Bali marine police officers had intercepted an attempt to smuggle 22 green sea turtles, scientifically known as Chelonia mydas, in the waters off Serangan Island. This was revealed after residents raised the alarm about suspected sea turtle smuggling activity in the area.

Two of the 22 turtles, currently under the care of the authorities, remain ill and require further treatment before they too can be released back into the ocean, stated Gusti Agung Purnama Wirahadi from the Bali Water and Air Police, on Tuesday. All of the turtles seized were found to be alive on the boat, but the smugglers had already fled the scene.