DENPASAR, BALINEWS – Twenty green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) rescued in a suspected illegal wildlife trade case were released into the wild along the coast of Serangan Island, Bali, on Tuesday (October 13, 2026). The turtles were among 22 found by authorities aboard a vessel named Monster. The remaining two are still receiving medical treatment.
The case began with a report from the public to the Bali Regional Police’s Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud), alerting authorities to suspected wildlife transportation and trading activities in the Serangan area.
AKBP I Gusti Agung Purnama Wirahadi, Head of Operations at the Bali Regional Police’s Water and Air Police Directorate, said officers followed up on the report and discovered 22 turtles aboard a blue vessel named Monster.
“Our Intelair team from the Law Enforcement Subdirectorate of the Water and Air Police Directorate initially received information from the public about wildlife transportation and trading activities on the coast of Serangan,” Agung said.
All 22 turtles were subsequently evacuated to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) for observation and health examinations. Veterinarians worked alongside a team from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Udayana University (FKH Unud), including students from the Turtle Guard group, to assess the animals’ conditions.
The examinations found that 20 turtles were fit for release, while the other two required further medical treatment. One turtle was diagnosed with an anal prolapse, while the other had a tumor affecting its eye. Both may be returned to their natural habitat once their health improves and they are declared fit for release.
Getreda Melsina Hehanussa, Head of the Denpasar Marine Management Office under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), said all sea turtle species in Indonesia are legally protected.
The protection is based on Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 66 of 2025 concerning protected fish species. Internationally, sea turtles are also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which imposes strict restrictions on international commercial trade in listed species.
According to Getreda, the coast of Serangan has long been used as a release site for confiscated turtles and hatchlings being returned to their natural habitat. The area is considered suitable for supporting sea turtle conservation efforts.
The release involved several institutions and organizations, including the Bali Regional Police’s Water and Air Police Directorate, the Denpasar Marine Management Office, TCEC, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia, and Turtle Guard from Udayana University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to protect marine wildlife and return rescued animals to their natural habitats through cooperation among law enforcement agencies, government institutions, conservation organizations, and academic institutions.
