Michelangelo and Ariel swam off to the sea 27.1.2011

Turtles Ariel and Michelangelo were set free yesterday in the afternoon during high tide. After experiencing some trouble with the planned release site (Similand Island nr 1), we decided to release the turtles at a 15 km long sandy beach called Thai Muyang. Our local collaboration partner insisted that we did not have the required permission to enter island nr 1 with so many tourists and the film team, although we specifically had been confirmed the opposite from the boat operator. Anyhow, after some drama and argue about release site, we were all quite happy with the new release site which is a turtle nesting area and feeding ground.   

Both turtles seemed a bit confused when first put on the sand, and Ariel even first crawled in the wrong direction. However, after 17 minutes she had made her way down to the sea and happily swam off towards the Similan Islands. Michelangelo was first tied with a leash in order to be photographed under water, but after 10 minutes of posing also he was unleashed and rapidly swam off from the beach.

We have the first satellite signals from both turtles already and a map will be visible here ASAP.