pic 1-2 credit to Roland Agansai of Kudat Turtle Conservation Society. pic 3-5 to friend of Eva Vivian, intern of KTCS, kudat.
The carcass of green turtle ( size W54cm and L59cm, measured by Roland agansai, honorary warden of SWD, KTCS and bavang jamal sea turtle nursery) was found at rocky area Kelambu beach near ( see pic 6) by a friend of Eva Vivian on sunday april 1,2018.
On the following day, Roland Agasai dan his team went to inspect the carcass, took measurements and the tag( see pics). the carcass was already in decomposing condition and so it was left at the site.
the tag MY0023, department of fisheries sabah/MRF stands for Marine Research Foundation at Mantantani - an island in Kota Belud ( south west of kudat). Ms Eva sent msg to Dr Nicholas Pilcher, he confirmed the turtle was tagged 11 july 2016.
![17C965CB-7501-443F-996F-42DC4CF39308.jpeg]
(
on the same sunday noon, someone from Bavang Jamal saw a floating carcass not too far from shore( pic 7)
around 13:24 noon, monday 2 April charles tibok sent a pic 8. he wrote the pic was taken by a teacher who was on boat from Kota Kinabalu to Pulau Gaya.
so far there is no ways to confirm if the two carcasses was different individual or the same one floated away by ocean currents from kelambu down south to sea area between kk jetty to pulau gaya.
This carcass is not the first and sadly will not be the last to be found in this part of Tun Mustapa Marine Park. Experts said the death high probably caused by incidental by catch by either by traditional or commercial fishing gears. this is based on (i)occasional reports of trawlers, purse seine vessels at night fishing too near to shore ( they encroaching into traditional fishing area 3 nautical miles from the beach); (ii) the damaged or injuries on carcasses body). once caught the turtles will be thrown back to sea to eliminate evidence.
Kelambu beach is located near to tip of borneo, kudat sabah malaysia. this beautiful white sandy beach in past was a nesting site for green, hawsbill and olive ridley. The waves is good enough for paddle surfing, the beach is patrolled by ktcs members.
Pulau Gaya is located in front kota kinabalu city, its divided between sabahparks and large water village a home to est. 8,000 people of filipino descendants with some locals bajau. A portion of the island is part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.