Fourth leatherback turtle landing in Terengganu

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 2, 2026

A leatherback turtle laid eggs for the fourth time this month at Pantai Jambu Bongkok in Terengganu, with 70 eggs relocated to a hatchery for protection. This continues a conservation effort that has secured 265 eggs since early September, with hatchings expected between late October and early December under close monitoring by the Fisheries Department and local conservation groups.

A leatherback turtle was observed coming ashore to lay eggs at Pantai Jambu Bongkok in Marang, Terengganu, marking the fourth such landing in the state within the past month. The sighting was reported early yesterday morning after a fisherman discovered the turtle around 4 a.m. and promptly informed the Rantau Abang Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (TCIC).

According to Datuk Adnan Hussain, director-general of the Fisheries Department, the nest was excavated at 6 a.m., yielding 70 eggs that were subsequently relocated to the Rantau Abang TCIC hatchery for protection and incubation. An inspection of the site documented a turtle track measuring approximately 2.17 meters wide.

This recent discovery raises the total number of leatherback turtle eggs collected and safeguarded from four nests since September 1 to 265. The first nest was found on September 1 at Pantai Pasir Puteh, Marang, where 44 eggs were retrieved. Subsequent landings included a second nest on September 13 at Pantai Rantau Abang with 81 eggs, and a third on September 22 at Pantai Kuala Abang, yielding 70 eggs.

The Fisheries Department highlighted that all four nests are currently under the management of Rantau Abang TCIC, where eggs are carefully reburied at depths ranging from 80 to 100 centimeters to mimic natural nesting conditions. The incubation period is estimated to last between 55 and 70 days, contingent on factors such as sand temperature and nest environment.

Projected hatching windows for the nests are as follows: eggs from the first nest are expected to hatch between October 26 and November 10; the second between November 7 and November 22; the third between November 16 and December 1; and the fourth between November 25 and December 10. The TCIC has pledged to monitor each nest regularly until hatching is complete.

Datuk Adnan emphasized the importance of a coordinated conservation approach that integrates scientific monitoring, nest management, law enforcement, and active involvement from local communities and fishermen. He also urged the public to avoid disturbing or handling turtles that come ashore and to report any sightings to the Fisheries Department promptly to ensure proper protective measures can be implemented.

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