As reported by Harian Metro, a total of six agar turtle deaths (Chelonia Mydas) were recorded in the last 11 months of this year. Although this still seems like a lot, this is a significant decrease from the 13 turtle deaths recorded in 2019.
State Fisheries Director, Abdullah Jaafar explained most turtle deaths are either caused by them getting stuck in fishing nets or by intestinal problems caused by digesting plastic.
Four deaths occurred in February, followed by two deaths in August of this year. The turtles were found mostly around Pahang, specifically Pekan and Rompin.
“In the 12-year period from 2007 to 2019, 80 deaths involving 78 agar turtles and two cockroaches were reported,” he said.
“We take the turtle death cases seriously because it is mostly due to human negligence.”
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