7 Rehabilitated Turtles Released into Ocean on World Turtle Day in Penghu Amid Rain

Central News Agency, Penghu County, June 16

In conjunction with World Turtle Day, Penghu County's Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau today released seven protected sea turtles back into the ocean at Cuo Li Beach, taking concrete action to promote marine ecological conservation. This marks the return of over 400 protected turtles to the wild in nearly three decades.

The turtle release event was attended by Penghu County Council Speaker Chen Yu-Jen, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau Director Chen Kao-Liang, Councilor Chuang Kuang-Ta, and over 100 teachers and students from Cuo Li, Ai Men, and Feng Jui Elementary Schools. On-site educational outreach on marine protected wildlife species was also conducted.

Of the seven protected turtles released today, one was a hawksbill turtle and the remaining six were green sea turtles. These individuals were previously rescued near Wang’an Island or stranded on shore due to adverse weather or poor health conditions. They were brought by local residents to the Penghu Marine Biology Research Center for rehabilitation and care. All are now in good physical condition, with healed external wounds, and eagerly crawled into the sea amid rain and wind, coinciding with World Turtle Day.

Since its establishment in 1997 (Minguo Year 86), the Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation Center at the Penghu Marine Biology Research Center has received a total of 696 protected sea turtles, with green sea turtles accounting for 598—the largest number. Today’s release marks the 71st such event, bringing the cumulative total of released turtles to 408 across five species: green sea turtles, hawksbills, loggerheads, olive ridleys, and leatherbacks. Of these, 355 are green sea turtles and 36 are hawksbills. Seventeen turtles remain under care and rehabilitation at the center. (Editor: Lin Shu-Hui) 1150616