LANGKAWI: A green sea turtle named Emelda, which was treated at the Underwater World Langkawi, was released back to the sea at Pulau Pasir today.
State Fisheries Department director Sukri Deris said the 10-year-old turtle weighing 55kg had been injured and was treated under the supervision of the Fisheries Department for three months.
"Back in July, the turtle was discovered by a group of researchers from MareCet Research Organisation.
"The turtle was unable to dive and was severely dehydrated," he said at a press conference after launching the Marine Conservation Programme and Marine Protected Area Consultation at Pulau Pasir today.
Sukri said MareCet then sent the turtle to the Underwater World Langkawi.
"At the start of treatment, the turtle weighed only 38kg, but increased to 55kg. Today, it is healthy and ready to return to its natural habitat.
"We chose to release Emelda here (Pulau Pasir) as many of the 99 islands in Langkawi waters are part of the turtle migration route, and there is abundant food for them," he said.
The event also featured a beach clean-up, where 50 Fisheries Department employees and local community members collected 200kg of waste, mostly plastic debris, glass bottles, straws, cigarette boxes and food wrappers.