Rare leatherback turtles return to Malaysia

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — The endangered leatherback turtle has made a surprise return to nest in Malaysia where they were feared to have been wiped out, but experts are worried the precious eggs will not hatch.

After a no-show last year, the rare giant turtles have nested twice on the Rantau Abang beach in northern Terennganu state, on June 23 and 24.

"This is exciting for us and it has given us new hope in our conservation efforts," said Munir Mohamad Nawi, director of the state's fisheries department.

"We presume that (roughly) two more females will arrive to nest. Two years ago we had five nesting sites for these leatherbacks," he told AFP, adding that none of the eggs gathered then had produced baby leatherbacks.

Workers from the state's Turtle and...