Rescued turtles released from Penghu center

The large reptiles, weighing between 11 and 89 kilograms, were helped on their way by Penghu County Magistrate Wang Chien-fa, Liu Chiung-lien of the central government's Forestry Bureau, which underwrites a part of the country's conservation budget, and Hsu Chung-kang of the Penghu Marine Biology Research Center, which has looked after them since they were rescued from Taiwan's subtropical seas.

The turtles, known by scientists as Chelonia mydas, had stayed at the center for between one and 18 months while they recovered from disease or injury, Hsu said.

The longest resident was the largest, which he estimated was more than 20 years old. Green turtles often live to over 50, by which time they may weigh over 200 kilograms. PHA108, as she was code named, gained 12 kilograms since arriving at the center in December 2007. Hsu said she had a problem with her internal organs that prevented her from diving underwater. PHA114, on the other hand, had only suffered superficial injuries and so was released within one month of its rescue on May 31 this year.

As part of their environment education, also present for yesterday's release were the entire roll call of local Shihli Elementary School and Shihli Kindergarten.

The dozens of pupils cheered as the turtles struggled the few meters across the sand, then clapped loudly as they swam majestically the first tens of meters through the surf, on the beginning of a journey that could take them thousands of kilometers across the Pacific and Indian oceans.

It is because of the large distances the turtles migrate, that Taiwan has joined the international program to protect them.

In addition to the work done by the research center near Shihli on the Fengguei Peninsula of Penghu's main island, there is also the Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Center on the smaller outlying island of Wangan.

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