Turtle rescue in Hainan

A sea turtle was rescued after it was found stranded on a beach in China’s southern island province of Hainan. Tourists called police after spotting the reptile flipped on its back on the shoreline near the city of Sanya. Rescuers protected the turtle from the sun and kept it hydrated while a health check was done. The animal, identified as being a member of an endangered species and more than a hundred years old, showed no sign of illness or injury, so it was released back to the sea. In recent years, conservationists and local hotels have been working to make Hainan a centre for combating the illegal trade in sea turtles.