Ocean Park Provides Temporary Care for 36 Sea Turtles Seized by AFCD

Yesterday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) recovered 36 live sea turtles, including 35 Green sea turtles and one Hawksbill turtle, and sought the assistance of Ocean Park to provide emergency care and veterinary assessment. This is the largest batch of turtles being ever sent to the Park, and initial inspection by the Park’s veterinary and aquarium team indicates that the turtles are in a stable condition. Further examination will be conducted over the next few days to determine their health status. The size of the carapace, the upper part of the turtle's shell, of the 36 sea turtles range from 31cm to 81cm, and to provide the best possible care for the turtles, the Park has made available one of the large quarantine pools to temporarily house the sea turtles, and will continue to monitor their condition during this period.  

Sea turtles are large, air-breathing reptiles that inhabit tropical and subtropical seas throughout the world, and are characterised by a shell consisting of an upper part (carapace) and a lower section (plastron). The Green sea turtle is currently listed as Endangered, while the Hawksbill turtle is listed as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. To safeguard the animal from becoming extinct, the general public is encouraged to avoid dumping pollutants and waste into the ocean and nearshore waters which could destroy their natural habitats, support efforts in combating illegal trade in sea turtles and their products, as well as actively participate in sea turtle conservation through educational programs.