JAKARTA, Aug 10 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia released thousands of babies of protected turtles into the sea, off Bali island, in an effort to drift up the population of the reptiles and promote the ecosystem.
The release of over 10,000 turtle babies (lepidochelys olivacea) was carried out on the coast of Gianyar district, on the island, local media reported yesterday.
Secretary of the Gianyar District Administration, Made Gede Wisnu Wijaya said, the habitat of the species has narrowed as of late, stressing the importance of a massive effort to protect the number of the animals.
“Sea turtles are species which are protected by the government,” he said during the release on Saturday.
The population of sea turtles has become lower as of late, due to hunting, fishing and losing beach nesting sites.
Earlier this month, a total of 25 adult green sea turtles were released into the sea, off Bali island, after the police rescued them from traffickers.
The Indonesian waters are home to six out of seven types of sea turtle species in the world, including the lepidochelys olivacea.
All the six sea turtles are protected by the Indonesian government.
Indonesia, a vast-archipelagic nation, is home to many ocean species.– NNN-ANTARA
