Turtle Conservation

Sea turtle populations, like lots of other marine life, are declining with a number of species being classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Turtles face a wide variety of threats, from poaching of eggs, being caught as bycatch by commercial fishing vessels, plastic pollution, coastal development, boat strike, climate change and numerous other threats. We have a number of programs aimed at helping to protect turtles and their population.

Turtle Hatchery

The Mabul Turtle Hatchery was launched in 2011 to stop the poaching of the turtle eggs, which we do with the support of the local community. When a member of the local community informs us of a nesting turtle and we are able to relocate the nest they are given RM500 as a reward for the information. We have a number of Honorary Wildlife Wardens who are trained and authorised to relocate turtle nests who attend the nesting to ensure the female has a peaceful nesting experience and makes it safely back to the ocean before relocating the eggs to our hatchery. The program has been incredibly successful having relocated over 307 nests and released over 21,500 baby turtles.

Honorary Wildlife Wardens

Sea turtles are listed on Appendix I of the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997 meaning they are completely protected by law and fall under the remit of the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD). Only SWD Officers and Honorary Wildlife Wardens (HWWs) are permitted to handle turtle eggs, hatchlings and adult turtles. We have a number of trained HWWs working with us to facilitate our sea turtle conservation efforts. Click here to find out more about these local heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty by volunteering their time and energy to relocate nests and release hatchlings.

adopt a turtle

Our Mabul Turtle Hatchery programme is funded by our Adopt a Turtle initiative. Guests at Scuba Junkie’s Mabul Beach Resort (SJ MBR) can name a hatchling for a RM100 donation. In return, guests receive a Hatchery t-shirt (sponsored by Scuba Junkie) and an official adoption certificate. 100% of the RM100 donation is used towards paying the community reward for notifying us of the next nesting. If your stay at SJ MBR coincides with a nest hatching then you will have the opportunity to join and witness the release of the hatchlings.

Adopt a turtle

Rehabilitation Centre

The Mabul Turtle Rehabilitation Centre was launched in May 2015 in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit. The Centre provides facilities that enable the comfortable housing of sick or injured turtles while they receive the necessary treatment and care before being returned to the wild. The Centre is vitally important for protecting our adult turtles and, to date, we have successfully rehabilitated and released 14 green sea turtles. We are happy to talk to you about this project, but do not offer tours as animal welfare is our number one priority.

Wildlife Rescue Unit

The Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit is the Sabah State government’s veterinary team responsible for rescuing and treating protected species, including sea turtles, Bornean pygmy elephants, orangutans and proboscis monkeys. The Unit is spearheaded by Dr Sen Nathan and consists of a team of vets and rangers. The Mabul Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is run under strict guidance and instructions from their experienced vets.

Turtle ID Database

Scuba Junkie SEAS manages a Turtle ID Database, a crucial tool in our conservation efforts. Through photo submissions from turtle ID dives and guests of Scuba Junkie, we track the dive site location, age, gender, behavior and unique characteristics of spotted turtles. Utilising an open source facial recognition software called I3S, we identify unique individuals in our database and monitor how frequently they are sighted and where. This comprehensive system enables us to gather valuable data on turtle populations and their movements around Mabul, Kapalai and Sipadan Islands, aiding in our conservation efforts.