Out-of-season leatherback turtle nest with 98 eggs moved from flood risk
Out-of-season leatherback turtle nest with 98 eggs moved from flood risk — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
A leatherback turtle nest containing 98 eggs was found on a Phang Nga beach on April 29 and urgently relocated after officials judged the site vulnerable to seawater flooding, Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park said on April 30. The park worked with Marine National Park Operation Center 2 in Phuket after villagers reported turtle tracks near patrol unit LP.3 (Pang).
Nest survey finds 85 viable eggs and rare timing
Officials recorded 85 viable eggs and 13 undeveloped eggs in the nest. They also measured the mother turtle’s chest width at about 100 centimeters and flipper span at 200 centimeters.
The egg chamber was about 100 centimeters deep and 40 centimeters wide. Average egg size was 4.68 centimeters, officials said.
Because the original nest site faced inundation risk, staff dug up and moved all eggs to a beach area in front of the visitor service center. A protective enclosure was then installed so the eggs can hatch naturally in a safer location.
The incubation period is expected to run about 55 to 65 days. Park chief Panatthaporn Ketsakul said the nesting was out of season, a rare event last recorded in 2020.
Source: https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/5824484/
