DENPASAR – A green turtle release in Serangan returned 20 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to their natural habitat along the coast of the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The turtles were among 22 individuals rescued by authorities from suspected illegal wildlife transportation and trade. Two others remain under medical care and will be reassessed before they can potentially return to the wild.
The case began with information provided by local residents to the Bali Police’s Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud Polda Bali) regarding suspected wildlife transportation and trading activities in Serangan waters.
Following an inspection, officers discovered 22 turtles aboard a blue vessel named Monster.
Community Report Leads to Rescue of 22 Green Turtles
AKBP I Gusti Agung Purnama Wirahadi, Head of Operational Development at the Bali Police Water and Air Police Directorate, said information from the community played a key role in initiating the rescue.
“Our team from the Intelligence Unit of the Water and Air Police Law Enforcement Sub-Directorate initially received information from the community regarding the transportation and trade of wildlife at Serangan Beach. After conducting an inspection, we confirmed that a blue vessel called ‘Monster’ was carrying 22 turtles,” AKBP I Gusti Agung Purnama Wirahadi said.
Following the rescue, all of the turtles were transferred to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) Serangan for observation and health examinations.
The assessments involved veterinarians and students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Udayana University, who are members of Turtle Guard.
The examinations found that 20 turtles were healthy enough to return to the wild, while two required further medical treatment.
Two Turtles Remain Under Medical Treatment
Prayoga Hario Widodo, a student from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Udayana University, said one turtle was suffering from an anal prolapse while another had a tumor affecting its eye.
Both remain under treatment and will be evaluated again before any decision is made regarding their release.
“There were 22 turtles in total, and currently 20 are fit for release. Of the remaining two, one has a prolapse and the other has a tumor in its eye. We will continue their treatment first, and if they recover, we may release them later,” Prayoga Hario Widodo said.
Green Turtle Release in Serangan Supports Protected Species Conservation
Getreda Melsina Hehanussa, Head of the Denpasar Marine Management Office under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ Directorate General of Marine Management, emphasized that sea turtles are protected species.
Indonesia’s Ministerial Decree of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 66 of 2025 on Protected Fish Species remains in force and forms part of the national legal framework protecting sea turtles. JDIH KKP
Internationally, the green turtle or Chelonia mydas is also listed under CITES Appendix I, the Convention’s highest level of protection against international commercial trade. CITES
According to Getreda Melsina Hehanussa, the Serangan coastline has previously been used as a release site for confiscated turtles as well as hatchlings.
In July 2026, the same coastal area was used to release 21 green turtles that had also been rescued from illegal trade. Kura Kura Bali
Kura Kura Bali Coastline Supports Turtle Releases
Zefri Alfaruqy, Head of Communications at the Kura Kura Bali SEZ, said the area’s role is to ensure that the Serangan coastline remains safe, clean, and suitable for conservation activities whenever needed.
“Today’s successful release is entirely the result of the hard work and collaboration of Ditpolairud, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, TCEC, and the university students. As the area manager, our role is to ensure that the Serangan coastline within the Kura Kura Bali SEZ remains safe, clean, and suitable whenever it is needed as a release site,” Zefri Alfaruqy said.
Turtle conservation in Serangan extends beyond individual rescue operations. Previous conservation efforts have recorded more than 7,600 turtle eggs protected, with approximately 4,000 hatchlings successfully released back into their natural habitat through collaboration among TCEC, local communities, BTID, and other stakeholders. Kura Kura Bali
Cross-Sector Collaboration for Turtle Conservation
The green turtle release in Serangan involved Ditpolairud Polda Bali, the Denpasar Marine Management Office, Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC), WWF Indonesia, Turtle Guard of Udayana University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID).
While 20 turtles have now returned to the ocean, the remaining two continue to receive treatment until they are considered healthy enough for possible release.
The collaboration reflects a shared effort to protect green turtles from illegal wildlife trade while maintaining Serangan’s coastal environment as an important location for marine conservation.
Source: NusaBali.com
