Sadly, the continued degradation of nesting sites, through development of nearby land such as this, is one of the biggest threats to the survival of Phuket's sea turtles.
The building of more hotels, restaurants and roads near turtle nesting beaches will lead to an increased disturbance of nesting turtles by people and dogs.
It's impossible to forget your first experience of watching a turtle come ashore to nest, unfortunately this sight is becoming increasingly rare. So, if you are one of the few lucky ones what should you do?
If a turtle comes ashore, stay out of sight; she won't get out of the water if she sees you or feels threatened.
After finding a location for her nest, well above the high-water mark, she will dig. Not until she is almost finished can you quietly approach her, still keeping out of her line of sight. Make sure you keep a respectful distance and remain silent while she covers her nest at this point you can start taking photos, but no flash!
Not only do beachfront hotels and restaurants bring crowds that disturb nesting turtles on once secluded beaches, they also emit light pollution at night that scares away female turtles. So unless a hotel has a policy of no external lighting, and activity enforces it, their establishment is contributing to the demise of Phuket's turtle population.
If we want to keep our turtles on Mai Khao Beach and other nesting sites in Phuket for future generations, we have to set aside areas of prime beachfront land exclusively for them. The choice is ours, but doing nothing can't be an option if we want to save these creatures from the brink of extinction along our shores.
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