KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department has sent their team to Pulau Bum-Bum off Semporna to verify report of dead turtles found on the beach there.
A viral picture of several turtles, some on their backs and their stomachs exposed, went viral on social media yesterday.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said that based on the photo, they looked like green turtles and humans could be the reason behind their deaths.
“According to the villagers contacted, there were nine carcasses.
“Our team has gone down to the island this morning, so we are likely to update after (receiving) their report.
“We have asked our officers to interview those who discovered the carcasses to find leads, including where they drifted from and the possible cause of death,” he said when contacted.
Asked if the condition of the turtles was due to other animals feeding on them, he said, “It is unlikely animals but humans based on what we can see. We will look further into this.”
Sabah has recorded several cases of mass dead turtles washing up onto its shores, including two incidents in early 2014 where 60 carcasses were found in the Pulau Tiga waters off Kudat, while another four at Pulau Bum-Bum.
In March 2015, authorities again discovered 19 green turtle carcasses in Pulau Tiga waters that were believed to be the result of a failed attempt to smuggle the animals alive.
Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are protected under Schedule 1 of Sabah’s Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.