4,000 Tukik Released On Serangan Island As Turtle Conservation Effort

TCEC noted that in the past year, 4,000 hatchlings were released into the wild on Serangan Island, Denpasar, Bali. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The release of hatchlings on Serang Island, Denpasar, Bali, is a symbol of the community's commitment and conservation institutions in preserving the species of turtles which is increasingly threatened.

In the past year, as many as 4,000 turtles (tukik) have been returned to their natural habitat in the Serangan Sea, as part of the steps to preserve these protected marine animals.

According to the Head of the Serang Turtle Education and Conservation Center (TCEC), I Wayan Indra, the Serangan Beach area which is included in the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (KEK) is one of the important areas for turtles to lay eggs and breed naturally.

"This beach is a strategic location where stops and lays eggs for various types of turtles," said Indra in Denpasar, as quoted by ANTARA.

TCEC periodically monitors and relocates turtle eggs in areas that are considered prone to disruption or unsafe. This process is carried out in the Kura Kura Kura Bali SEZ area managed by PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID), with coordination and permission from the regional management.

"Every time there are turtle monitoring or data collection activities, we always get full access. There have never been any obstacles in this cooperation," he added.

If an egg is found at a location with a high risk to the safety of a hatchling, for example due to tides, erosion, or human activity, the eggs will be moved to a conservation center for a more controlled tightening process. However, if the environment is considered safe enough, the determination will still be carried out naturally on the beach.

The three turtle species most commonly found laying eggs on Serang Island are lekang turtles (Lepidochelys olvacea), green turtles (Chelonia mydas), and scaling turtles (Eretmochilys imbricata) are all protected species.

In addition to running conservation programs, TCEC is also active in providing environmental education to the public and tourists. Based on data from the Denpasar City Tourism Office, during 2024, TCEC has been visited by more than 59 thousand people, consisting of students, students, local and international tourists, to state guests, including delegates from the G20 Summit in 2022.

Indra said that many school children had only watched hatchlings for the first time and learned about the turtle life cycle through this educational visit.

He stressed that the preservation of turtles not only saves one species but also plays an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems and preserving local culture that has long intersected with sea and turtle animals.

"Conservation cannot run alone. Close collaboration is needed between private parties such as BTID, the government, the Attack Traditional Village, and the community. Only with solid cooperation can we ensure turtles continue to make Attacks their homes, "concluded Indra.