One hour by
speed boat and 40 Km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea, lies
Sabah’s third Marine Park, one of the most important turtle
breeding spots in South East Asia. Designated as a Marine Park,
the islands of Seligan, Bakungan, Kecil and Gulisan are safe
haven for the endangered Green Turtles and Hawkbill Turtles.
Strangely, these turtles only lay their eggs in their original
birthplace. So after over 30 years of turtle conservation, the
success is now clearly evident as more turtles make their
pilgrimage every year. At night, crouch quietly as park rangers
point out the turtle laying theirs eggs. It’s a slow sand
digging, laying and burying ritual that they go throught before
making their way back into the waters. Park rangers then
carefully transfer 100 over odd eggs into a safe haven for
monitoring, before hatching and subsequent release into the sea.
An overnight stay on Seligan Island is recommended for a rare
glimpse of these turtles laying eggs.
