Turtle sent back to the sea

The Ghana Wildlife Society in collaboration with the Naval base at Tema on Tuesday returned a Green or Edible Turtle into the Atlantic Ocean after being it had been in illegal custody of a herbalist.

The exercise was in line with the Wild Animal Preservation Act, 1961 Act 43, section (1) that bars individuals to hunt, capture or destroy any endangered species of animal.

Mr. Gerald Boakye, Marketing Officer of Ghana Wildlife Society, who briefed newsmen after the exercise said the turtle was seized from a herbalist in Accra who claimed he is using it for medicinal purposes.

The herbalist was apprehended and handed over to the police for illegally possessing the turtle and according to the law, offenders would be fined two hundred cedis or be jailed for not more than six months.

Mr. Boakye noted that since the turtle was an endangered spicies and should not be in the custody of any person unless its original habitat, they could not breach the law so they contacted the Naval Base at Tema for an assistance to safely dispose of it.

He said the Navy welcomed the idea and safely disposed of the creature at deep sea and that it should not be left at the shore for it to fall prey to the fishermen.

Nat Essey, Chief Petty Officer one (CPO1) who escorted the delegation in the Gemini Craft (a Naval Safe Boat) said the turtle was disposed at between 13-15 nautical miles to ensure that a reasonable habitat had been secured for it.

CPO1 Essey lauded the effort of the Ghana Wildlife Society adding, "if everyone could recognize the importance of wild life, they would not destroy such creatures indiscriminately".