The Wangan Pacific Green Turtle Conservation Center conducted the Sea Turtle Releasing event on the beach in front of the Center at 9am on Oct 25th. This event was overseen and participated by Township Mayor Xu Xiande of Wangan Township, Sea Turtle Conservation Authorities – Agriculture and Fisheries of Penghu County Government, Conservation Center Co-director Wen Da, citizens of Wangan community, junior high school and elementary school students and guests. Approximately 100 people all cherished the opportunity to bear witness to the sea turtles being returned to the embrace of the sea. “Baby, Miu, and Hope, good luck!” and “Baby, Miu, Hope, bye-bye!” The students and participants all wished them good luck, and gave the three sea turtles a heart-warming send-off as they swam back to the sea.

       The three Pacific Green Turtles released back into the wild were juvenile turtles discovered on the beach of Wangan Earth God Port last year on July 22nd. They were found at the bottom of the nest, unable to climb out on their own, and some had been attacked by sand crabs, losing their mobility. They were recovered by Sea Turtle Patrols, and sent to be cared for by the COA of the Fisheries Research Institute. After confirming their recovery, they were moved to recovery tanks in the Wangan workstation of the Conservation Center, near the beach where they were born. The observation continued. When they were discovered, the juvenile turtles measured 5cm in shell length, and weighed only 20g. After half a year of growth, they now measured 30cm in shell length, and weighed 3kg each, and were in good health. They were sent for health examinations in the Fisheries Research Institute, COA in mid-October, and had reached the requirements for releasing.

      During their time being cared for in the Wangan Conservation Center, in order to promote sea turtle ecological conservation, we implemented a series of promotional events. A naming and lucky draw event was held in May. After a month of calling for public nominations, the names drawn for the three sea turtles were “Baby,” “Miu,” and “Hope.” In July, citizens across the country were invited to send in birthday blessings for the sea turtles to celebrate their 1st year birthday in hopes they would grow in good health, and would be able to return to the sea after their health examinations. This releasing event marked the last event in the series. The three sea turtles matured and were healthy, and have now returned to the sea.

      Wangan is the home to Pacific Green Turtles. On Jan 17th, 1995, the Penghu County Government announced and issued plans to establish six protective nesting areas for Pacific Green Turtles in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Law. The Penghu National Scenic Area Administration collaborated with the Agriculture and Fisheries of Penghu County Government in holding this promotion and conservation for sea turtle ecology, and shall continue to collaborate in the future to maintain a sustainable ecology, and promote eco-tourism.

      On the same day, the Wangan Pacific Green Turtle Conservation Center also collaborated with Wangan 7-Harmony Family Welfare Service Center in holding the Wangan Family Domino Creative Show, with registrations of ten families for the event. After releasing the sea turtles, the children went back to the Conservation Center to participate in the Domino event, making the Center lively as ever. All the participating children and citizens had a great time.