Officers from the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre ‒ under the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center of the Upper Andaman Sea, based at Cape Panwa ‒ arrived at the beach after they were informed of the baby turtle’s condition by staff from Rawai Municipality.
The turtle, with a shell 27.5 centimetres wide and 31.5cm long, weighed 1.8 kilogrammes, marine biologists reported.
The turtle was in weak condition, with a body condition score (BCS) of 2/5, indicating relative malnutrition.
A deep, necrotic wound was discovered on its front left flipper, extending to the upper arm bone with muscle inflammation, and the bone was found to be fractured.
Marine biologists provided initial treatment, but was taken back to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre for further care and rehabilitation.