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All on Koh Tao, one of Thailand's most beautiful islands
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Turtle Release Project Koh Tao IDC Group gets involved with the release of 200 turtles from the beaches of the island This day was organized by the KT-DOC, together with the Royal Thai Navy Turtle Conservation Center that brought 200 turtles from their hatchery in Koh Kram, an island off the coast of Pattaya. They were Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) and Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata) and were raised at the center till up to 6 months old. This was a very appropriate event since "Tao" means "Turtle" in the Thai language... A Turtle Release from Turtle Island!!! The activities started at 8am where the school children, the Navy soldiers and officials, the locals and tourists joined in to clean up the area. This cleanup was quite special… for the first time in the history of Koh Tao, thanks to the Royal Thai Navy’s cooperation, the garbage left the island via a Warship! It is a very significant action that showed the local community that the best way to properly handle our garbage is not only to collect them but to dispose them off the island as we do not have a garbage treatment facility. The KT-DOC has started the motion and will continue to work to set up a regular system to send garbage to the mainland.
After the island was cleaned up, a ceremony was lead by Admiral Sarayuth Dangteth and the first turtle was released into the water. He stated that the Navy will continue to work with Koh Tao and make this an annual event every 5th of June. Donations to support the Turtle Conservation Center to continue their research and various conservation programs were given by those who participated in the release. Also in order for the islanders to learn more about the turtles, some of the smaller ones will remain on Koh Tao till it is big enough to ensure better survival after the release. Four dive centers will be raising them for about 6 months so the locals and divers will have a chance to learn more about the turtles.
To bless the ceremony, monks were invited and lunch was offered to all those that participated. In the afternoon, the Royal Thai Navy invited the school children and the islanders to tour their warship, H.T.M.S. Sauburi. Captain Commander Skye gave us all a big welcome and showed us the well maintained ship and its big guns. No doubt it was exciting for the kids and it brought people closer.
This event was a very good example that by the dive operators working together for conservation efforts, we can bring the whole community together. For more information and pictures of the Turtle Release, please visit the Koh Tao Dive Operators Club website.
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