HEROIC TURTLE RESCUE: OVER 85,000 BABY TURTLES RETURNED TO THE SEA
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
A remarkable conservation effort has been captured on camera as thousands of baby turtles make their way from a hatchery back into the ocean.
Eko Narjianto, 39-year-old from Indonesia, works at a national park in his home country, where he has dedicated his life to protecting sea turtles.
For over 17 years, he has monitored nesting beaches, relocated eggs to safe hatcheries, and released the hatchlings into the sea.
His dedication has seen more than 5,000 turtles saved and released each year, including encounters with the world’s largest species, the leatherback turtle.
The process is not without its challenges, with sudden storms sometimes making rescues risky.
From cleaning shells to guiding hatchlings into the water, every step is captured in videos and photos, showing the determination and care involved in each rescue.
His efforts also serve as a call to action for environmental protection, emphasising the importance of protecting wildlife and maintaining natural habitats.
Eko shares glimpses of his daily work: the first moments hatchlings leave the nest, cleaning shells, and ensuring each tiny turtle reaches the ocean safely.
Each release is a celebration of life and a testament to what one person’s dedication can achieve.
Eko points out one of his horror stories from his conservation efforts,
Eko said: " When I got trapped in a flood during a rescue because of sudden bad weather and storms.
“I am tasked with preserving the population of turtles that lay eggs on the beach where I work every day.
"Each day I monitor the turtles laying eggs, relocate them to a hatchery, and after they hatch, I release the baby turtles back into the sea.
“One of my favourite moments was finding and saving a leatherback. It’s truly a majestic creature."
Here are his top three tips:
“Nature can be unpredictable, but it’s always worth it to give these turtles a fighting chance.
“Protect nature by disposing of trash properly, care for wildlife to maintain balance, and don’t cut down trees carelessly.
“Don’t give up on the way home, little one.”
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