3rd Visit to Pengkalan Balak

A lot of people don’t know that they can see turtle in Melaka, I mean the real turtle, this including me. I only knew it from my friends. It’s actually a Pusat Pengurusan Penyu Padang Kemunting, which is located at Pengkalan Balak. The last time I went there it’s after the turtle laid egg season (laid egg season- April to September), so I miss the chance to see the turtle.

Last week, I paid a visit again and yes, I got the chance to watch the babies’ turtle. I sound like jakun, actually this is not the first time I see turtle. My college is famous with turtle conservation program and you can easily found turtle in my campus. I never know that i can see turtle in East coast of Peninsula Malaysia, what else at my hometown.

Melaka is one of the important place for turtle to lay eggs. It covers from Kuala Linggi to Tanjung Bidara, and Pulau Upeh. The species of turtle that can be seen here is Hawksbill Turtle. Its named by the eagle’s beak-shaped mouth. Hawksbill turtle was named the most beautiful turtle because it has a golden-brown shell.

Hawksbill turtle.

Actually I was late to reach there and the nurture centre almost wanna close gate. Anyway, the PIC was so kind to let me go in to have a look and explain to me the whole process. I was amused when I was given the chance to hold the baby turtle and played with it. The baby turtle was kept in a box after hatched and before they are being let go to the sea. The baby turtle can survive one week without food cause they stored food in their stomach during hatching.

Holding the baby turtle.

It try to crawl from my hand.

Standing at the hatching area.

Hatching area.

I was so lucky that I got a chance to watch the WWF people bury the turtle’s egg. Last, they make a mark there before they put a proper label. The process look easy but it’s actually need some skills.

First, they dig a very deep hole.

Then, they count the quantity of eggs.

The eggs look like the ping pong ball.

After that, they put the eggs in the hole carefully and bury it.

Last, they make a mark there before they put a proper label.

Around 7pm, the PIC prepared to let go the babies turtle. We were given the honor to let go the turtle from the box. According to PIC, the best time to let go the babies turtle is night time. This is because most of the birds already back to their nest and the fish not active at that time. Feel happy to see the turtle back to the place where they from, and feel worry too cause they may eaten by fish, bird or other creature in the sea.

Some turtle crawl very fast, some still in the sleep mode, crawl slowly.

Waves crashing onto beach bring the baby turtle back to the beach.

Saying goodbye to the last baby turtle.

After all the babies turtle back to the sea, its time for me to go back home.