Why 22 Sea Turtles Were Left Aboard an Abandoned Bali Boat

Quick Take

• Smugglers fled before authorities arrived, but the turtles were still saved. Here's how that happened. See how they were saved →
• Serangan Island is called Turtle Island for a reason, though its sea turtles once faced a very different fate there. Explore Serangan Island's history →
• A cultural tradition once put these turtles on the endangered list, though it wasn't what most outsiders assume. Discover the cultural threat →

Twenty-two sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are getting a happy ending after Indonesian authorities foiled animal traffickers’ plans. The rescuers acted on a tip, arriving just in time to save some of the region’s most vulnerable marine life.

While the smugglers had already fled the scene, they left behind precious cargo. The sea turtles now have a second chance at life, though historically, it has not always been the case.

Sea Turtles Were Found in An Abandoned Boat

Serangan Island is a popular tourist destination in Bali. Also known as Turtle Island, it’s home to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center. It’s a bucket-list destination for eco-minded travelers and a known turtle nesting ground. The species has been protected in Indonesia since 1990, after animal trafficking threatened to cut down the native population.

Smuggling of sea turtles is less common in 2026, and the keen eyes and ears of locals saved 22 of them. When authorities arrived at the scene of the attempted smuggling, they found an abandoned boat. Within it were the 22 sea turtles that criminals tried to take off the island.

Police determined the smugglers got spooked when they realized they’d been caught. Luckily, thanks to the speed of both locals and Indonesian authorities, the sea turtles were rescued in time for rehabilitation. Two are currently sick and being treated at the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC), but the other 20 were safely released back into the ocean.

“We hope that no one will dare to capture, keep, or trade these protected species anymore,” said Gusti Agung Purnama Wirahadi from the Bali Water and Air Police after the timely rescue.

Serangan Island’s Sea Turtles Once Faced a Grimmer Fate

For years, Indonesia’s sea turtles were threatened by illegal poaching. Culturally, turtle meat has long been used in Balinese Hindu traditions. The hunting of sea turtles for these customs eventually took its toll on local populations, such as those on Serangan Island.

Green sea turtles have also been sold for their meat and shells, quickly becoming a novelty for the highest bidder. They joined the ranks of hawksbills, as both species face serious conservation threats — including habitat loss, bycatch, and illegal trafficking — with hawksbill turtles listed as Critically Endangered and green sea turtles listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

And while smuggling operations haven’t fully ceased, Indonesian authorities continue to intercept smuggling attempts like the one on Turtle Island. This effort is supported by residents, who care deeply about their native sea turtle populations.