UPDATE: Sea turtle weighing over 50kg rescued from Patong Beach

A sea turtle weighing more than 50kg was found weak and exhausted on Patong Beach on 3 September and assisted by lifeguards, who contacted a marine rescue centre for examination and care, The Phuket News and Thai Rath reported.

Jiraporn Wichit spotted the turtle while walking along the beach at around 6am and alerted Patong lifeguards. The lifeguards brought the animal from the beach and provided initial care before contacting the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animal Rescue Centre at the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center at Cape Panwa in Wichit.

Reports differed on whether the handover had taken place. The Phuket News reported that the centre’s team collected the turtle for a health examination and assessment before providing any necessary treatment. Thai Rath’s report, published later on 3 September, said officials were still waiting for the Sireetarn team to take the turtle. The planned care is to continue until it has recovered sufficiently to be released back into the wild.