Experience the unique opportunity to participate in Bali Sea Turtle Release Procedures (Kuta & Sanur). Learn about conservation efforts, assist in the release of baby turtles into the ocean, and contribute to the preservation of these endangered species.
Bali Sea Turtle Release Procedures (Kuta & Sanur)
Are you trying to find a free and enjoyable activity that promotes animal interaction and conservation?
As a volunteer for the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS), you may help release young sea turtles! Wayan Wiradnyana, a native of Bali, started this morally-driven conservation initiative in 2001.
Due of their vulnerability, turtles frequently lay their eggs along Bali’s crowded coast, particularly in Kuta. BSTS saves these eggs and cares for them until the turtles hatch and are ready to return to the environment.
While there are other turtle conservation organizations in Bali, BSTS is the most well-known and appears to have the greatest management. These days, releasing newborn sea turtles in Bali draws large numbers of participants.
This blog post outlines expectations and provides information on how, when, and where to release sea turtles in Bali.
How To Release Baby Sea Turtles In Bali
Anyone can participate in the free volunteer sea turtle release in Kuta, even visitors.
You can release a turtle for free; donations are accepted, but there is no cost involved.
Because there are a limited number of turtles and many people want to release them, all you have to do is get in line early enough to receive a ticket.
When we went in July, there was a sizable contingent of Chinese visitors, and we nearly didn’t obtain a place in line.
You will receive your young sea turtle in a plastic container with water inside after presenting your ticket at the front desk.
Just watch closely to ensure your turtle doesn’t leave the container, as they can be determined to climb out.
Once everyone has their turtles, BSTS will meet at Kuta Beach (less than 50 meters away), where you will stop on the sand behind a blue rope.
Everyone is free to release their turtles and watch them sprint toward the water when they give the all-clear. Liberation!
When Does The Turtle Release Happen?
In Bali, sea turtle nesting and hatching occurs from about April to October every year. BSTS can release turtles outside of these months, although it’s less frequent during these times.
There are turtle releases practically every day of the week during these busy months.
Keep an eye out for the announcements made for each turtle release by like the Bali Sea Turtle Society Facebook page. Usually, they are made six to twenty-four hours in advance. Even without a release notice posted on Facebook,
visiting BSTS is advisable if you’re staying near Kuta and want the best chance at completing this. I’ve heard of days when they release 250 turtles without posting a notice on Facebook (! ), presumably due to their inability to maintain an updated page.
Tickets go on sale usually at 4 PM, however this can change depending on the turtle release time of 4:30 PM (the Facebook announcements will indicate).
To ensure that you obtain a decent spot in line, I would advise arriving at least an hour in advance. When we went in July, there was a lot of people there, and we nearly didn’t get a place in line.
Where Is The Turtle Release In Bali?
The south Bali beach of Kuta Beach is home to the Bali Sea Turtle Society.
To locate them in Bali, using the Google map shown below. Simply locate the large statue of a turtle by the sidewalk. There on the beach is where the turtle release takes place. Anywhere on the island can make this a day trip destination,
but if you’re staying somewhere other than Kuta, make sure you depart early to allow for the very real chance of traffic congestion in various areas of the island. When we did this in July, Kuta was really congested. Seeing the sunset at Kuta Beach is an added benefit of participating in the turtle release!
Sanur Sea Turtle Release
Sanur, Bali, is an additional alternative if you’re staying outside of Kuta and still want to release newborn sea turtles.
The Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on neighboring Serangan island, which has been working on sea turtle repopulation and education in Bali since 2006, is the source of this activity. The TCEC receives support from the WWF. Conservationists normally release batches of newborn sea turtles on Sanur Beach once or twice a month,
though it happens less frequently and with less publicity compared to Kuta. Contacting Genius Cafe or Byrdhouse in Sanur will usually provide information on the next turtle release onto the beach.
Is The Bali Turtle Release Ethical?
Although sea turtles have historically used Bali’s coastline as a favored nesting site, the popularity of the island’s beaches among tourists has presented the turtles with some new difficulties.
Even though selling or consuming sea turtle flesh is forbidden in Indonesia, many people still engage in these activities. The taste is popular among the natives, and they have a long-standing custom. Additionally, stray dogs will dig up and consume the freshly placed turtle eggs directly on the shore. Conservationists gather the eggs and let them hatch safely to shield the newborns against poachers, dogs,
and irresponsible people stepping on them on the beach. Although it’s not a perfect solution, it increases the babies’ chances of surviving. Even if it may seem a little gimmicky, the straightforward tourist activity of releasing the turtles back into the ocean is still a wonderful opportunity to actively participate in
the conservation effort, even if it’s only a small one. Plus, kids will love it. Just be careful not to contact the turtles with your bare hands as you don’t want to infect them at this early period of their lives since they are still young and delicate.
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