Borneo Biostation

Our rescued Green Turtles with ‘Floater Syndrome’

Belen Romero — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 06:35:56 +0000

Like many of you I have made, heard & seen posts about marine animals dying asphyxiated due to marine debris ingestion… Sadly two months ago I personally experienced an encountered with a young green turtle. We found him struggling in the open sea, not far from our diving destination point. He was trying hard to swim down, however it didn’t matter how hard he tried something was holding him up, and that was the first hint that there was a problem. Our captain saw it from far, turn around and I jumped to see what was the problem. His shell was covered in barnacles (a healthy turtle can control its barnacle load so if it has excessive barnacles; this is a symptom that something is very wrong with the turtle and, most probably, it has been sick for a while) & algae. With help of Andi (our captain) we put it in the boat, it was so exhausted that we could see how relief it was to be somewhere solid. Scared but just resting after his failing attempt to swim. We took him to the resort in order to seek for help. It took us a bit of time to actually find the right place, thanks to KTCS service we could contact a Turtle Sanctuary in Kota Kinabalu and they transfer it the following morning. News were published in the following link https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/…/green-turtle-makes-215…/

Basically, He has gas built up in his stomach probably due to plastic consumption and that kept him from going down and get food. He is a young adult and his chances to survive are 50% after aparently a month of being struggling with this problem. Sea turtles are especially susceptible to the effects of consuming marine debris due to their bodies own structure. They have downward facing spines in their throats which prevent the possibility of regurgitation. The plastics get trapped in their stomach, which prevents them from properly swallowing food. Also, many sea turtle rehabilitation facilities commonly deal with “bubble butts,” turtles that float as a result of trapped gas caused by harmful decomposition of marine debris inside a turtle’s body. The gases cause the turtle to float, which leads to starvation or makes them an easy target for predators.

A week ago we found another green turtle almost in the same conditions that the previous one, which we were luckily able to help it and took it to
Gaya Island Resort Marine Centre. Professionals there are making great efforts to help these turtles. Now it may sound like another sad news on your side but on our side we see these amazing critters swimming smoothly and gracefully across the sea and it really is devastating. So what are you doing to contribute to the care of nature? Have you ever think how many plastic you take up to your home? Maybe next time instead of asking for a plastic bag at the supermarket you may think twice and bring your own reusable one. Or when you ask for a drink you may ask for no plastic straws ! Little changes in our behaviour will definitely settle an example to others and can make big changes for our planet.

Everyday is a new start, become part of the change #crushplastic

Second #Greenturtle with prolapse and floaters founded close by North Borneo Biostation 20/07/2019

First green turtle found 3/06/2019- being carried to Gaya Island-

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Orangutan family in RDC

Alexander Frank — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 02:38:40 +0000

Recently visited again Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC), which is a stunning jungle reserve near Sandakan. This time spotted an orangutan family: father, mother and a kid. It was just awesome. Before already met there once single male who was crushing dead trees.

Father

Mother with a kid

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Sunbird is making a nest 2 feet from the window

Alexander Frank — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 05:09:53 +0000

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Marine news ))

Alexander Frank — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 07:50:24 +0000

Nice footage on diving and freediving

And this creature is just absolutely lovely!!

Meet the Flying Octopus

This octopus "flies" through the seas by flapping its ears! Footage via Nautilus Live

Posted by Octonation on Friday, March 30, 2018

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PADI Freediver course at North Borneo Biostation

Alexander Frank — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 07:06:37 +0000

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For our vegan guests

Alexander Frank — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 03:26:26 +0000

Lately we are getting an increasing demand for vegetarian food from our guests. It is our pleasure to announce that we prepared a new menu for you! That is entirely vegan food inspired with a spirit of authentic North Borneo cuisine. We recommend it to try even to people who are not really vegetarian. It is just tasty! Please check our new menu on a restaurant page http://www.borneobiostation.com/resort/restaurant/

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NBB Youtube channel

Alexander Frank — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 03:04:42 +0000

Subscribe to our Youtube channel for the latest news!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjNaXFD7KmanZiXelkpSZZw?view_as=subscriber

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Wreck diving

Alexander Frank — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 02:42:58 +0000

A couple of years ago we already published here our short movie about the first diving at the wreck nearby. Below is another footage with better visibility

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Baby turtles

Alexander Frank — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 00:03:23 +0000

Newly hatched out baby turtles released to the sea. They swim first time in their life but do it so wonderful! Hatching was done by Kudat turtle conservation society.

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Wild life pictures

Alexander Frank — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 02:24:44 +0000

Recently we had guests from Bulgaria, true nature lovers. One of them, David Davidov, appeared to be a great nature photographer who has made many beautiful pictures here and kindly presented them for our website and exposition. Please see some of them below and many more in our Gallery. Thank you David!

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