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Phuket turtle saved ahead of 'save the turtles' marathon in Kamala
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: A battered and sick, young olive ridley sea turtle (Luke Tao Ya in Thai) that was rescued by villagers and Kusoldham volunteers on Kamala beach yesterday, has been treated and has better prospects for recovery and survival now.

When found by villagers, the young Chelonii – weighing 14 kilogrammes, measuring 57 by 56 centimetres, of an as of yet unidentified sex and estimated to be less than five years old – had severely torn and injured front flippers and was riddled with other wounds throughout.

It is believed that the turtle had been caught in the strong, 3-4 metre waves yesterday off the western coast of Phuket.

Ms Phatcharaporn Kaeomong, the veterinarian at the center for rare and endangered species at Phuket's Marine, Coastal and Mangrove Research and Development Institute, told The Phuket News that the turtle had a bacteria infection, that had most likely made the turtle too sick to swim and find food in the strong conditions.

She said that the turtle will be treated and join some 20 other injured and rehabilitating turtles at the center, with the ultimate aim of releasing them back into the wild once they are strong enough.

The young turtle was rescued just in time for a marathon in Phuket to raise funds and awareness for the plight of turtles.

Run for the turtles

Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation and JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa are pleased to invite people to participate in the 10th Annual Turtle Fun Run and Mini Marathon 2014 – a 3.5 km fun run and a 10.5 km run – which takes place on Sunday (September 14) at Pru Jeh San Lake on Phuket’s beautiful Mai Khao Beach.

The event program on Sunday (September 14) begins with registration from 4.30am to 5.45am, to be followed by a keynote address from the Phuket Governor. At 6am the 10.5km run will start, with the 3.5km run starting 10 minutes later. The awards presentation ceremony will take place at 7am, along with environmental activities.

For both runs, trophies will be awarded for 1st-5th place finishers and cash prices of B800 to B2,000 for 1st-3rd place finishers (male and female category). The first 700 registered runners will receive a running shirt and medal, and there will be a trophy for the hotel and running club with the most participants. There will also be a gift voucher lucky draw for all participants.

The 10th Annual Turtle Fun Run and Mini Marathon – while also aiming to encourage in people a healthy lifestyle – is a collaborative effort by the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and its partners to raise funds and awareness of the conservation work done by the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) and its “The Injured Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program” to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured turtles, dolphins, whales and dugongs.

Additionally, part of the funds raised at the event will support the foundation and hotel’s newest project, The Marine Turtle Shelter & Education Center, which will serve as a home for injured turtles who are unable to return to the sea. Once in operation in April, 2015, it will welcome four injured turtles including “Tommy the Turtle” who was born nine months ago at the PMBC, with no eyes

Phuket’s endangered sea turtles – which use Mai Khao Beach as a nesting ground – are facing multiple threats, their numbers have severely depleted in recent years. Commercial fishing kills thousands of them every year, while many more die from eating or becoming trapped in plastic debris littering the ocean.

People can register for the event by contacting Khun Kittipan on Tel: 089-733-8830 or at the Concierge in the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa lobby, between September 9 and September 13 from 9am to 6pm. Tickets for the 3.5km and the 10.5km run are both priced at B300 per category per person, inclusive of a running shirt. For more information about the foundation, please contact Khun Kittipan, Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation Coordinator, via email [email protected] or call 089-733-8830.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-turtle-saved-ahead-of-save-the-turtles-marathon-in-kamala-48710.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2014-09-13