World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Indonesia releases 20 green sea turtles rescued from suspected smugglers
Authorities in Bali released 20 protected green sea turtles into the ocean on Tuesday.
Police had found 22 turtles on an empty boat off Serangan Island after residents reported suspected smuggling activity.
The suspected smugglers had fled before officers arrived, and the turtles were found alive.
Two turtles are still sick and need treatment before they can also be released.
Indonesia has protected sea turtles by law since 1990, and rules also prohibit trading them.
Bali was once a major center for green sea turtle trafficking, linked in part to the historical use of turtle meat in religious offerings.
The remaining two turtles will be released after treatment, according to a Bali police official.
Indonesian authorities released 20 protected green sea turtles into the ocean off Bali on Tuesday.
The turtles had been found alive on an empty boat after marine police foiled an attempted smuggling operation near Serangan Island.
Two other turtles from the boat remain sick and need treatment before they can be released.
The suspected smugglers had fled before officers arrived.
- Who
- Indonesian authorities released the turtles. The suspected smugglers fled before police arrived.
- What
- 20 green sea turtles were returned to the ocean after a suspected smuggling attempt was foiled.
- When
- Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. Police foiled the smuggling attempt on Saturday.
- Where
- Off Serangan Island, in southern Bali, Indonesia.
- Why
- The turtles were protected animals seized from a boat after residents reported suspected smuggling activity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Authorities foiled an attempt to illegally trade 21 protected green sea turtles on Bali’s Pegametan coast and arrested a 67-year-old suspect.
Marine police foiled an attempt to smuggle 22 green sea turtles off Serangan Island after receiving a report from residents.
Authorities released 20 of the turtles into the ocean; two remained sick and needed treatment.
- Released
- 20 green sea turtles
- Still receiving care
- 2 turtles
- Total found on boat
- 22 green sea turtles
- Location
- Serangan Island, southern Bali
- Protected in Indonesia since
- 1990
What people are saying
We hope that no one will dare to capture, keep, or trade these protected species anymore.
Sources
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