REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BERAU - Hawksbill sea turtle species in Derawan Island in Berau, East Kalimantan, is prone to extinction. There are only three turtles spawning in Sangalaki Island, an island in Derawan archipelago.

"A main cause of the extinction is poaching. There are many souvenirs made from its shell. It is the reason why the number continues decreasing," the Chief of Berau Turtle Foundation, Vany Ahang said on Monday.

Derawan Island is the habitat of Hawksbill sea turtle and green turtle. Green turtle is mostly found in this island. On a night, at least 20 turtles spawn in the coastline of Sangalaki Island.

July is the first season of spawning and it reaches the peak on August-September. There will be 30 turtles spawning on a night.

Derawan Archipelago has five islands for the turtle conservation. They are Sangalaki Island, Derawan Island, Bilang-bilangan Island, Mataha Island, and Saemama Island. There are also two more islands where the turtle spawning, Blambangan and Sambit Island. But, both of them do not have the guard who watches the turtle. "We will propose those islands as conservation," he said.

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