Philippine green turtle lays 84 eggs in Con Dao

Con Dao National Park reported that late on the night of May 22, the turtle crawled ashore at the Big Sand Beach (Bai Cat Lon) on Bay Canh island and dug a nest to lay its eggs.
The turtle measures 93 cm in total length and 84 cm across its carapace. During monitoring, park rangers discovered a Philippine identification tag on the turtle. They then attached an additional tag to track its future movements.
Con Dao is located approximately 1,200 to 1,300 kilometers from the Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi Province, Philippines — one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the country.

A freshly laid nest of Philippine green turtle eggs. Photo: Con Dao National Park

The green turtle, locally known as "vich" (Chelonia mydas), is one of seven species of sea turtles, and continues to nest and reproduce in Con Dao. The island is the primary nesting ground for about 90% of Vietnam’s green turtle population.
In April of last year, a green turtle tagged in Malaysia came ashore at Bay Canh island and laid 108 eggs. Seven years ago, another green turtle from Indonesia nested in Con Dao.

A tag attached to the left front flipper of the turtle. Photo: Con Dao National Park

Currently, seven sea turtle species are globally recognized:

• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

• Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

• Flatback turtle (Natator depressus)

• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

• Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

• Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempi)

All are listed as endangered wildlife under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Except for the flatback turtle, the remaining species are included in Appendices I and II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).