Kuta and Sea Turtles

Who aren’t familiar with the beauty of Kuta beach? Tourists both from foreign and domestic visits the beach every day to see the famous surf. They also enjoy the splash of heat and it’s enchantment of sunset. Surprisingly none consider that Kuta beach is also home for sea turtle.

Kuta beach is one of destinations of sea turtle to lay their eggs. They eggs face many threats before they can hatch and survive to reach the sea. However, Kuta Beach Security Guard (Satgas Pantai Kuta) and ProFauna have been cooperating to save turtle eggs that laid on the beach. This program puts aside such opinion that Balinese are fond of consuming turtle meat. There turn out to be many who care about turtle protection like local Kuta community.

The landing of sea turtle

Since 2002 until 2007 there were hundreds of sea turtle nest fund and rescued in Kuta beach. In every landing of sea turtles, satgas pantai Kuta directly contact ProFauna to do immediately action required to protect the nested eggs. Eggs that are laid too near to water face a high risk of being submerged. To save these eggs, they are moved to hatchery facilities without disturbing them.

Sea turtle lay eggs on March until September, and they will hatch between May and October. So far, turtle species that lay eggs on Kuta beach is Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Between 2002 and 2007 there were more than 8,000 eggs laid on Kuta beach, and 6,000 of them were successfully hatched and released to the ocean. This means that 75% eggs are saved. In 2005 turtle tagging program was started, 17 turtle were tagged in the period of two years up to 2007.

The turtle race

Releasing turtle hatchings is interesting to tourist in Kuta beach. Many tourists especially foreign tourists involved in the releasing activity. ProFauna called this activity Turtle Race. These activities have become a special event for tourists in Kuta beach and have increased tourists interest to Kuta beach and also serve as a promoting activity to save the sea turtles.

Sea turtle conservation program in Indonesia will be successful if it gains support from the community and law enforcement upheld by the government against the turtle trade. Giving big sentence to the turtle traders and appreciating community that support the turtle conservation program will help 6 species of sea turtles in Indonesia waters.

We also need your support for maintenance the facilities and equipment to protect the sea turtle that lay the eggs at Kuta beach. Your donation for this activity will be a big contribution!

Support us to save the sea turtles!

NB: for further information please contact

Satgas Pantai Kuta (Kuta Beach Security Guard) ph. +62 361 762 871

ProFauna Bali Office PO BOX 3435 Denpasar Bali Indonesia 80034

Hotline +62 361 80 858 00, email: profaunabali@indo.net.id