It’s turtle season along this section of the Andaman Coast. And another leatherback turtle nesting site has been discovered in north Phuket, this time on the long stretch of Mai Khao Beach. The location, just north of the airport, is believed to be Phuket’s first nest of turtles eggs this year.
There has already been 7 nest discovered on the quieter beaches just north of Phuket, but none on the busier west coast beaches of Phuket.
Officials from Sirinath National Park and Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Phang Nga visited the site on Wednesday, February 14. They say that as it’s located beyond the high tide line, there’s no need to move the eggs.
A barrier has been constructed around the area, with a team appointed to monitor the eggs until they hatch. This is expected to happen sometime between April 9 – 14.
Leatherback turtles are a critically endangered species and are known for being the largest of all sea turtles. They are typically found in the Andaman Sea and are known to nest along the coast of Thailand, where they are classified as a protected species under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act 2019.
At Thai Mueang, 20 minutes north of Phuket, there is the annual Turtle Festival from March 1 – 10, featuring all the usual Thai festival staples, plus lots of turtle releases, parades and events for kids.
SOURCE: Facebook/Khaosod English
