Turtle Islands Park

The Turtle Islands Park lies 40 km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast. It encompasses 1,740 hectares which includes the three islands of Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kecil and Pulau Gulisan; the sea and surrounding coral reefs. The islands are built over shallow rocky shoals from coral shingle from the surrounding reef of the fringes. They are covered with a variety of plan life which includes mangrove, lantana, the yellow-flowered sophora and the furry silver-leaved Tournefortia. The main nesting area for the green turtles which come to nest on their shores. Pulau Selingan is the hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys seem particularly attracted to the shores of Pulau Gulisan. Both species lay their eggs on these shores throughout the year, although the best months are between July to October. The islands were gazetted as Marine Parks in 1977 primarily for the protection of these two species in order to save them from extinction.

Pulau Selingan is almost 8 hectares in size the second largest island in the group. The turtles come ashore on the east and southwestern parts of the island to lay eggs before returning to the sea. They normally come ashore after 7.30 pm but have also been seen nesting in the early hours of the morning between 5 to 6 am.

Pulau Bakkungan Kecil is the the largest island and it lies close to Philipines border. Active mud volcanoes are also present here. These are not true volcanoes but originate as mineral-rich mud, expelled from deep below surface. The favourite nesting places of the green turtles are the beaches on the northern and western shores of the island.

Pulau Gulisan is merely 1.6 hectare in size but remains one of the favourite haunts of the hawkbill turtles which lay their eggs on the northern, eastern and southwestern beaches. All sea turtles eat marine animals such as sponges, marine worms and molluscs and the hawkbills are no exception. Being carnivorous, they feed on the invertebrate animals of the coral reefs. The adult green turtles however, are strict vegetarians, limiting their diet to the underwater grass and seaweed.

The turtles really take their time laying eggs. The whole ritual of emerging from the sea, then choosing a suitable site and clearing the area before laying its eggs (about 40 to 90 eggs per batch); concealing the eggs with sand and finally taking their leave takes one whole hour!

Hatcheries Park collect the eggs and transfer them to hatcheries where every effort is made to ensure successful hatching. After an incubation period of about 50 to 60 days, the hatchlings dig their way up to the surface and they are later released to the sea from different points around the islands. They are then on their own, to survive the dangers at sea and perhaps return one day to lay their eggs on the very same shores as their mother once did.

The park was created to protect the natural environment especially the sea turtles, the coral reefs and other marine life. There are therefore stringent rules which visitors are advised to observe.