PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: A large green sea turtle was found dead on a Hua Hin beach and marine authorities are investigating the cause of its death.
The dead turtle was found washed ashore on Ban Hua Don beach near a ferry pier in Hua Hin beach town late on Wednesday night. It was first noticed by a local resident, who reported it to the Sawang Hua Hin Thammasathan foundation.
The turtle was about 150cm long and 70cm wide, and it weighed 70kg to 80kg. Rescuers found no signs of injury but the body was bloated and smelly, indicating the turtle had been dead for several days.
The corpse was moved from the beach to an examination site so the cause of death can be determined. As of press time, the turtle's sex was unknown.
Surasak Thongsukdee, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Centre, said yesterday that veterinarians from its Samut Sakhon branch will also check if the turtle had been fitted with a microchip. He said a large green turtle was spotted laying eggs on Pak Nam Pran beach on Feb 28, Mr Surasak said.
