Aquaria KLCC staff receive 'unexpected' surprise!
T K Letchumy Tamboo
May 12, 2017 17:00 MYT
May 12, 2017 17:00 MYT
Their ICUN status labelled them as endangered, as the population has consistently been on a decline due to a long history of egg and turtle hunting, loss of nesting habitats, marine pollution, and human interference. - Filepic
Aquaria KLCC staff received an unexpected surprise last Tuesday.
As the staff was performing daily routine preparations for the day’s opening, they discovered a Styrofoam box partially filled with saltwater, with an air ventilation hole cut into it.
Scrawled on top were the words ‘Please take care [of] them’.
Upon opening the box, they found two baby Green Sea Turtles!
“The turtles were immediately taken into our facilities and looked over by our curatorial staff. The baby Green Turtles weighed 1kg and 2.1kg each. Both turtles are in good condition, with clear eyes and a normal, healthy shell.
“They were moved into Aquaria’s quarantine salt water tank, where they were fed mackerels, prawns and squids. They were also given regular health checks.
“The authorities have been notified of the turtle-dumping incident, and Aquaria KLCC is working out the best solution for the care and health of the turtles,” Aquaria KLCC said in a statement.
Green Sea Turtles (Scientific name: Chelonia mydas) can reach up to 5 feet long and can weigh up to 190kg.
Their sexual maturity occurs at any time between the 20 to 50 years old, and can live up to 80 years.
Their ICUN status labelled them as endangered, as the population has consistently been on a decline due to a long history of egg and turtle hunting, loss of nesting habitats, marine pollution, and human interference.
It is estimated the population of Green turtles in Malaysia has declined by 70 per cent in the last 10 years.
Green Sea turtle adults migrate up to 3000 km between feeding and nesting areas, and are named for the green colour of the fat under its shell.
Aquaria KLCC Managing Director and Group chief executive officer, Datuk Simon Foong said that it is very important for people to realise that these are wild animals, although they look cute and small.
“They will grow, and are not domesticated. Their behaviour outside of their natural environment will be unpredictable at best, and they may cause harm and damage.
“Very specialised care and knowledge is required for them to thrive in a captive environment, along with a suitable replication of their habitat,” he added.