Share
Lifestyle & Human Interest

Dozens of Unhatched Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle Stolen, Reward Offered

Share

A community in southern Thailand has offered a reward for catching whoever stole dozens of unhatched eggs of an endangered turtle species.

The Pacific Leatherback turtle eggs were stolen before dawn Sunday from a beach in the southern province of Phang-nga, said Pratom Rassamee, head of the provincial Marine and Coastal Resources office.

“This theft is a grave incident for both marine biologists like me and local residents near the beach,” said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, one of Thailand’s top marine biologists.

“We believe around 50 or more precious eggs are gone,” he said.



Trending:
Prince Harry Named in Major Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against Rapper

Outraged local residents donated about $1,660 for a reward to catch the thieves, and the sum was matched by provincial authorities, bringing the total to $3,320.

The eggs are protected by law, and stealing or possessing them is punishable by a prison term of three to 15 years and a fine of up to about $50,000.

“Police are hunting those thieves down,” Pratom said by phone. “The animal is loved by people living around here.”

He said footage from security cameras along the road might offer some clues to the thieves’ identity.

The Pacific Leatherback is the world’s largest sea turtle but is also critically endangered, and its nests had not been seen in Thailand for five years until January 2019.

They are disappearing because of attacks by predators, excessive fishing, egg poaching by humans for food and increasingly unsuitable natural environments.



“That’s why so many people are upset,” Pratom said. “I hope police can bring those thieves to justice. …

“They have to know that those turtle eggs are not food, and they mean a lot both Thailand and the world.”

Related:
Kate Middleton Announces Cancer Diagnosis: 'A Huge Shock'


The area around Thai Muang Beach, where the nest was discovered, has long been known as an egg-laying area and hosts a turtle sanctuary run by the government’s Phang-nga Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center.

The regional national park office offers a reward of up to $660 for anyone discovering a new turtle nest on the beaches of Phang-nga and neighboring Phuket in order to facilitate their protection.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, ,
Share
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.
Location
New York City




Conversation