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Bali sea turtles set free after poacher arrests
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Green sea turtles make its way after being released on Kuta beach near Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on August 5, 2020, after police arrested seven people on the Serangan waters for allegedly attempting to smuggle 36 green sea turtles. (AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka)
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round two dozen green turtles were released back to the wild in Bali on Wednesday after the endangered creatures were rescued from poachers on the Indonesian holiday island.
Marine officials carefully guided the giant reptiles as they thrashed their flippers in the sand to propel themselves toward the water.
The turtles were among 36 seized after a raid last month that saw the arrest of several suspected traffickers -- who could face five years behind bars if convicted under Indonesia's wildlife protection laws.
"Hopefully these 25 turtles will survive so that they can lay their eggs again," said Bali conservation agency chief Agus Budi Santosa, adding that 11 others rescued at the time would be freed later.
The turtles, which can grow to more than a meter (three feet) in length and weigh upwards of 300 kilograms (700 pounds), are under threat due to poaching and habitat destruction.
Their eggs are considered a delicacy and they are also slaughtered for their meat, skin and shells.
