Green turtle found dead on Cha-am beach
A green turtle weighing more than 50 kilogrammes has been found dead after washing ashore on Cha-am beach, with officials preparing to carry out a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
Tourists discovered the carcass near the Cha-am beach viewpoint on June 11 and alerted officers from Cha-am Police Station. Police then coordinated with officials from the Marine and Coastal Resources Office 3 in Phetchaburi to inspect the scene.
Officials said the turtle was a green turtle, aged around five to seven years, and weighed approximately 50 to 70 kilogrammes. It appeared to have been dead for several days, was giving off a strong odour and had started to decompose. Its sex could not be identified.
An initial inspection found no visible wounds or clear signs of injury. However, officials said skin on parts of the body had peeled away, while the upper shell appeared to have been affected by prolonged exposure to sunlight after the carcass had been floating in the sea for some time.
Officials measured the turtle’s body, recorded details and took photographs as evidence. The information will be used as part of a scientific examination into the case.
The carcass is expected to be collected by a veterinary team from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, Western Gulf of Thailand, for a necropsy to establish the cause of death.
Green turtles are rare and endangered marine animals protected under Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562. The law prohibits hunting, possessing, buying, selling or breeding the species, as well as possessing its eggs or any part of its carcass.
Officials said violations carry legal penalties.
Thailand is home to five species of sea turtle, all of which are protected by law as part of efforts to conserve marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems.
