NEGARA ~ Kurma Asih, The Turtle Conversation Group in Negara Regency, released dozens of Lekang sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivaceae) last Friday.

“The turtles we are releasing now come from one nest. Other nests are still in the hatching process,” said Anom Astika, head of the group.

Some turtles have been kept in the breeding area, so they can be used by students as research.

isitors to Kurma Asih can help with the turtle releases and also see the turtles in the breeding area.

I Putu Artha, deputy regent of Karangasem, participated in the event, and explained that the turtles were very much endangered because of their habitats becoming more and more limited.

Unfortunately, he said, turtles were still being hunted in Bali for food and handicrafts.