Officials from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) at Cape Panwa were informed at 4pm by Petty Officer 1st class Jirasak Chugaung of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command that the lifeguard team at Karon Beach had found an injured turtle washed up on the beach.
Mr Jirasak said, “The turtle was injured but it still alive. Kusoldharm rescue workers and officials from the Phuket Marine Biological Centre came to the beach and helped transport it to the centre.
“Marine Officials said that the injured turtle found was an Olive Ridley weighing about 50 kilograms. Its front left flipper was nearly broken off and there were scratches and wounds all over its body. The officials said that the injuries probably came from fishing nets. They believe the turtle got trapped in the fishing net and it injured itself whilst trying to escape. Officials were not able to say the sex or age of the turtle,” he said.
“However, the Marine Endangered Species Unit at PMBC are treating the injured turtle, and I was told it will recover fully from its injuries and once this has happened they will release it back into the sea,” he added.