SATUN, Thailand – The Department of Fisheries has dismissed claims that more than half of the turtles kept at the Satun Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center perished in last week’s flooding, saying the figures circulating in the media do not match conditions on the ground. The flood, which struck Satun between November 22 and 28, however, resulted in substantial damage to several fisheries facilities, prompting officials to conduct a detailed assessment.
Deputy Director-General Suwat Wongsuwat said crews first assisted nearby communities before turning to the department’s affected sites. Three units sustained damage, with the freshwater research center in La-ngu district suffering the most. The center reported losses to its supply building, housing, hatchery, laboratory, and the giant Asian river turtle pond, which also serves as a local tourism feature.
Although the center activated its flood-preparedness plan, water levels rose more than 2.2 meters—described as the highest in 50 years—overwhelming concrete ponds and mesh barriers. Strong currents swept some turtles from their enclosures, while others became trapped against screens and were unable to surface for air.
Preliminary numbers show that before the flood, the center housed 1,789 live turtles and had recorded 189 carcasses. After the water began to recede, officials recovered 271 live turtles and 23 dead ones, though several pond areas remain submerged. A complete tally will be made once conditions fully stabilize.
The department is asking residents to return any turtles found outside the facility so they can be returned to the conservation program. (NNT)
