Pardeep
๑۩۩๑┼●ℛŐŶ
Turtle tourism is a big deal for eco-friendly tourists who want to engage with nature on their holidays.
But holidaymakers staying on the Indonesian island of Bali enjoyed a rare treat as they were allowed to help marine police return some of the giant creatures to their natural environment yesterday.
The turtles had been confiscated by local officials from a fishing boat and the skipper arrested.
Lending a hand: Bikini-clad tourists help the Bali Marine Police release the confiscated turtles back into the sea at Kuta
Rescue mission: The turtles had been seized from poachers, who caught them near Sulawesi island
He told police the green turtles had been caught in waters off Sulawesi island.
The reptiles have an average size of more than three feet and can weigh up to 220kg.
Turtle meat is a delicacy in the predominantly Hindu province of Bali, where it each creature could be sold for us to $560 (£300).
Shell-shocked: The turtles are lined up on the beach before being carried to the water's edge in Bali
Keeping cool: A tourist pours water over the green turtles to keep their temperatures down in the Balinese heat
The green turtle lives in tropical waters around the world, but its numbers have been steadily decreasing for several generations.
This is largely due to human encroachment on the beaches where they lay their eggs.
No prizes for spotting the irony
But holidaymakers staying on the Indonesian island of Bali enjoyed a rare treat as they were allowed to help marine police return some of the giant creatures to their natural environment yesterday.
The turtles had been confiscated by local officials from a fishing boat and the skipper arrested.
He told police the green turtles had been caught in waters off Sulawesi island.
The reptiles have an average size of more than three feet and can weigh up to 220kg.
Turtle meat is a delicacy in the predominantly Hindu province of Bali, where it each creature could be sold for us to $560 (£300).
The green turtle lives in tropical waters around the world, but its numbers have been steadily decreasing for several generations.
This is largely due to human encroachment on the beaches where they lay their eggs.
No prizes for spotting the irony
