We took a taxi to the local turtle sanctuary. There we met Brother King, who was happy to tell us all about his labour of love. His most recent exciting story was about how he saved turtle hatchlings from certain death as they were being washed away in a rain storm. He showed us the tank full of 6-week-old baby hawksbill turtles. They are so sweet.
I mentioned to Brother King that Austin is particularly interested in marine biology. He was happy to hear that, and expressed his concern for the dying oceans. He says that more people, particularly young people, need to become involved in saving our oceans and its ecosystems. He told me that plastics weren't being used until he was in his mid-teens. Plastics are a huge contributor to the demise of our ocean wildlife.
We weren't allowed to touch the baby turtles, but we could touch the bigger ones, only we had to avoid their beaks - they bite!
Austin was really interested in the oldest and largest turtle in the sanctuary. He is a 14-year-old hawksbill turtle, and he has the unique marking (two drill holes in the tail of his shell) of the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. Our driver said that this turtle is the owner's pet.
Austin drew a nice picture of this turtle (above).
Brother King has devoted his retirement years to saving the hawksbill turtle from extinction. He is very passionate about this.
Hey, Austin. How do they determine the age of a Hawsbill turtle?
ReplyDeleteYou're drawing really shows its 'scaly' skin on the four legs!