Twenty green sea turtles are back in the water around Bali after being rescued from an abandoned boat near Serangan Island — the latest chapter in the island's ongoing battle against sea turtle trafficking.
The story began on 10 October, when residents raised the alarm about suspected wildlife smuggling off Serangan. By the time marine police reached the boat, the people believed to be behind it had already fled, leaving 22 protected turtles stranded aboard. Authorities secured the vessel and handed the animals over to Bali's Natural Resources Conservation Agency, which arranged health checks at a conservation centre on the island.
The outcome was mostly a happy one. Twenty of the turtles passed their checks and were released back into the sea on Tuesday 13 October, just three days after their rescue. The remaining two were still too unwell and stayed in care for further treatment, according to the Associated Press. Police continue to hunt for the suspected smuggler, and the investigation remains open.
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are protected under Indonesian law, but illegal capture and trade remain real threats around Bali. The problem isn't isolated: in June 2026, authorities on the island broke up another alleged trafficking operation involving 21 protected green sea turtles. What made this rescue work was ordinary people — local residents who noticed something suspicious and reported it, giving authorities the window they needed to intervene.
For travellers, this is a good reminder that Bali's waters are home to genuinely vulnerable wildlife, and that the island has a network of conservation centres working to protect it. Serangan Island itself, once best known as a turtle-hunting area, now hosts conservation and release programmes, and visitors can support ethical operators rather than any outfit offering turtle meat or souvenirs — both illegal in Indonesia. If you see wildlife being sold or handled roughly while travelling in Bali, reporting it to local authorities or your hotel genuinely can make a difference; this case proves it.
