{
  "id": 15077278,
  "title": "Terengganu’s leatherback turtles have returned – now comes the waiting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/terengganus-leatherback-turtles-have-returned-now-comes-the-waiting",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/17/terengganu-s-leatherback-turtles-have-returned-now-comes-the-waiting"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For the first time in nearly a decade, leatherback turtles have returned to nest along the coast of Terengganu, reigniting conservation efforts and hope for a new generation. Since September 1, five nesting events have been documented, resulting in a total of 313 eggs. The latest sighting occurred on October 10 at Pantai Rantau Abang, with the turtle laying eggs at 4:30 am and returning to sea around 5:45 am. Thirty-eight eggs from the five landings have been relocated to a controlled hatchery at the Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (TCIC).\n\nFisheries department director-general Adnan Hussain expressed the significance of the five nesting events, stating that they bring renewed hope for future generations who may witness the existence of this ancient creature. However, officials have warned that the nesting events do not necessarily confirm the presence of five different turtles, as leatherbacks can return multiple times during the same nesting season.\n\nThe success of the hatchlings remains uncertain, with eggs typically incubating for 55 to 70 days depending on sand temperature and nest conditions. The first hatching is expected between October 26 and November 10. Despite the risks, conservationists and community members are closely monitoring the eggs, emphasizing the importance of scientific monitoring, nest management, and public participation in ensuring the safe return of the hatchlings to the ocean.",
  "summary": "Five events since September have produced 313 eggs, rekindling hope for a species that had not been recorded nesting in the state since 2017.",
  "key_points": [
    "Leatherback turtles return to Terengganu coast after nearly a decade.",
    "Five nesting events documented, resulting in 313 eggs.",
    "Thirty-eight eggs relocated to hatchery for safe hatching."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The return of these nesting events signals a critical turning point for local conservationists who must now manage hatchery conditions to ensure the survival of a new generation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Terengganu’s leatherback turtles have returned – now comes the waiting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/terengganus-leatherback-turtles-have-returned-now-comes-the-waiting-15077298",
        "published": "2026-10-17T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}