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Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle Clinic in Bali

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Collect, treat and release live sea turtles that are victims of poaching.

Sea turtles are protected in Indonesia by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries regulations. However, trade of live sea turtles remains a major problem, mainly concentrated in Bali. Turtles from nesting beaches all over Indonesia, especially from the islands of Sulawesi and Java, are illegally transported by boat to Bali to be sold for their meat and for ritual ceremonies.

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The Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS), in partnership with the local non-governmental organization Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), aims to protect sea turtles in Indonesian waters by:

  • collecting live sea turtles seized by the authorities;

  • treating for the turtles and ensuring their safe return to the ocean

  • educating local communities about the need to protect turtles and their habitat

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THE PROJECT IN DETAIL

Objectives

The project aims to urgently implement concrete actions for the protection, care and rehabilitation of poached sea turtles in the Indonesian sea. The main objectives are:

  • the extension of the JAAN dolphin rehabilitation center, located in Sumberkima Bay in northwest Bali, to allow the administration of first aid to rescued sea turtles;

  • the installation of 10 fiberglass tanks;

  • the acquisition of medical equipment and supplies such as ultrasound machines, scales, etc.

 

The project will start in January 2023 for an expected duration of 6 months.

 

This project will be coordinated in Bali by the non-governmental organization Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), under the supervision of the Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS) in Switzerland.

Status of the species

There are seven species of sea turtles in the world. Six of them can be found in Indonesian waters. They are, from the smallest to the largest: leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green turtle (Chelonia Mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii).

 

Marine turtles are protected in Indonesia by both the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries regulations. Efforts are being made to raise awareness of the protected status of marine turtles by many institutions and government agencies, but trade of live turtles remains a major problem. Illegal turtle trade is concentrated in Bali. Turtles from nesting beaches all over Indonesia, especially from the islands of Sulawesi and Java, are illegally transported by boat to Bali to be sold for their meat and for ritual ceremonies.

 

In 2022 alone, five sea turtle confiscation operations were conducted by authorities, seizing more than 192 live animals.

Planned actions and results

  • Get ready to receive seized sea turtles with appropriate veterinary equipment and facilities.

  • Work closely with authorities to seize, treat and record sea turtles that have been smuggled.

 

To enable better enforcement against poachers, documentation and detailed data on the status of sea turtles is important.

 

Confiscated turtles were returned to JAAN in 2022 and released as soon as possible. However, turtles often need veterinary treatment, and it is advisable to always perform an ultrasound before release. Our goal is to provide them with quick and professional medical help followed by their release.

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Green turtle (© SCS)

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Sumberkima Bay (©Google)

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Sea turtles confiscated from a smugglers boat (August 2022 - ©JAAN)

JAKARTA ANIMAL WELFARE NETWORK (JAAN)

Our partner in Indonesia

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Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization created to protect Indonesian wildlife. It was founded in 2008 in Jakarta. JAAN receives its funding and support from individual donors and works with the public and Indonesian authorities to save animals from exploitation, conducts programs to help minimize wildlife extinction, works to end the illegal animal trade and to improve animal welfare in Indonesia.

 

Dutch-born Femke den Haas has lived in Indonesia since 2002 and in 2008 co-founded the Jakarta Animal Aid Network, a non-governmental organization to help protect Indonesian wildlife. JAAN serves as an information center and central meeting point for volunteers interested in animal welfare issues. It enlists the help of individuals and Indonesian authorities to save animals from exploitation and reduce the trade in endangered wildlife.

 

Femke helped establish Indonesia's first centers for wild animals rescued from poaching, which led to the creation of six sites throughout Indonesia, including the Umah Lumba center in Bali that takes in dolphins rescued from captivity.

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Femke den Haas, president of JAAN (©JAAN)

Actively participate in the protection of sea turtles in Bali
The money raised will be used mainly to finance the new tanks as well as the ultrasound and veterinary equipment.
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