Cherng Talay Police reported that at about 6:45pm yesterday, Pol Lt Suwarin Mueat Muang, a Layan patrol officer, received a call from the station radio centre about an injured sea turtle stranded on Leypang Beach.
Arriving at the scene, Lt Suwarin found a turtle measuring about one metre long, 50cm wide and weighing more than 100kg. An initial examination revealed a deep 10-15cm wound on its lower right front fin and a single fishhook embedded in its mouth.
The officer immediately contacted the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Centre and the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation. The turtle was carefully retrieved and transported to the Sireetarn centre for urgent veterinary treatment, with the aim of rehabilitating the animal so it can be released back into the wild once recovered.
Meanwhile, the DMCR has confirmed that a different sea turtle rescued on Mai Khao Beach last Friday (Sept 19) has died despite extensive efforts to save it.
The mature female olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), with a 68cm carapace and weighing 29kg, was found alive but severely weakened after becoming entangled in marine debris, namely a discarded fishing net.
A preliminary examination showed deep muscle lacerations at the base of both front flippers, a missing left flipper, dehydration and multiple fractures in the left hind leg. X-rays revealed a fishhook near its stomach.
Despite rehabilitation and plans for surgical removal of the hook, the turtle died on Tuesday (Sept 23). A necropsy revealed systemic infection caused by severe wounds from the entanglement, with evidence of pneumonia, liver congestion, inflamed reproductive organs and an empty stomach containing sand and gravel but no natural food.
Marine officers have urged fishermen and the public to properly dispose of fishing gear and waste to prevent further harm to endangered sea turtles and other marine wildlife.