Endangered green turtles found slaughtered in Sabah

 

Sacks of suspected turtle meat, a stove and a knife were found at the scene in Semporna, eastern Sabah. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Eleven endangered green turtles have been found slaughtered in Sabah with members of the Bajau sea-dwelling community suspected of targeting them for food.

Wildlife officials found the green turtles on Friday during patrols near Semporna, in eastern Sabah.

They also found sacks of suspected turtle meat, a stove, and a knife at the scene, Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said. Efforts are ongoing to catch the perpetrators but none have been arrested.

It is a crime in Malaysia to target protected turtles, punishable by jail terms and fines.

The department said such crimes in the area are usually committed by the Bajau Laut, a community of sea-dwelling nomads who typically live on boats off Borneo.

Green turtles are one of the largest sea turtles, and are classified as endangered by protection group the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

They face multiple threats, including being targeted by poachers, caught in fishing gear, and having their eggs harvested. - FMT