HEROIC TURTLE RESCUE: OVER 85,000 BABY TURTLES RETURNED TO THE SEA<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />A remarkable conservation effort has been captured on camera as thousands of baby turtles make their way from a hatchery back into the ocean.<br />Eko Narjianto, 39-year-old from Indonesia, works at a national park in his home country, where he has dedicated his life to protecting sea turtles.<br /> For over 17 years, he has monitored nesting beaches, relocated eggs to safe hatcheries, and released the hatchlings into the sea.<br />His dedication has seen more than 5,000 turtles saved and released each year, including encounters with the world’s largest species, the leatherback turtle. <br />The process is not without its challenges, with sudden storms sometimes making rescues risky.<br />From cleaning shells to guiding hatchlings into the water, every step is captured in videos and photos, showing the determination and care involved in each rescue. <br />His efforts also serve as a call to action for environmental protection, emphasising the importance of protecting wildlife and maintaining natural habitats.<br /> Eko shares glimpses of his daily work: the first moments hatchlings leave the nest, cleaning shells, and ensuring each tiny turtle reaches the ocean safely. <br />Each release is a celebration of life and a testament to what one person’s dedication can achieve.<br />Eko points out one of his horror stories from his conservation efforts, <br />Eko said: " When I got trapped in a flood during a rescue because of sudden bad weather and storms.<br />“I am tasked with preserving the population of turtles that lay eggs on the beach where I work every day.<br />"Each day I monitor the turtles laying eggs, relocate them to a hatchery, and after they hatch, I release the baby turtles back into the sea.<br />“One of my favourite moments was finding and saving a leatherback. It’s truly a majestic creature."<br />Here are his top three tips: <br />“Nature can be unpredictable, but it’s always worth it to give these turtles a fighting chance.<br />“Protect nature by disposing of trash properly, care for wildlife to maintain balance, and don’t cut down trees carelessly.<br />“Don’t give up on the way home, little one.”<br />END
