SERANGAN, Bali — Twenty protected green turtles rescued from a suspected wildlife smuggling operation have been released back into the sea off Serangan, while two others remain under medical care.
The turtles were part of a group of 22 found alive aboard an unmanned blue boat named Monster off Serangan Island on October 10. Bali Police said officers discovered the vessel after receiving information from residents about suspected wildlife trafficking activity in the area.
The 20 turtles were released on October 13 along the coast of Serangan in South Denpasar after undergoing health checks at the Turtle Conservation and Education Center, or TCEC.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries said the turtles were examined before release to ensure they were healthy enough to survive in the wild. Two others were not released because they still require medical treatment.
The release involved Bali Police’s Water and Air Unit, the ministry’s Denpasar marine management office, TCEC, veterinary teams from Udayana University and conservation partners.
Police said the original discovery followed a tip from local residents about suspected illegal transport and trade in protected wildlife around Serangan. Officers later found the abandoned vessel containing all 22 turtles, but no suspects were found at the scene.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the suspected smuggling operation.
Green turtles, or Chelonia mydas, are protected under Indonesian law and are also listed under Appendix I of CITES, which provides the highest level of international protection against commercial trade.
Serangan has long been used as a release site for rehabilitated and confiscated sea turtles because its coastal habitat remains suitable for conservation activities.
The latest release marks the next stage in the rescue operation first reported after police discovered the 22 turtles alive on the abandoned boat.
The remaining two turtles will be considered for release once veterinarians determine that their health has sufficiently recovered.
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