China Turtle Sanctuary Rescues 252 Sea Turtles in 17 Years

When Liu Zhenqiang tosses fish chunks into a pond each morning, a 190-kilogram green turtle glides over for breakfast. Six years ago, this same creature weighed half that amount and was near death after getting tangled in fishing nets.

The turtle lives at the Guangdong aquatic wildlife rescue science popularization base on Naozhou Island, off the coast of Zhanjiang in southern China. The island sits along a major migration route for sea turtles, which swim to the area each winter.

Staff nursed the injured green turtle back to health over months, first feeding it fish paste through a tube when it couldn't eat on its own. They cleaned its cracked shell with disinfectant to prevent infection and keep barnacles from attaching to the wounds.

The facility started with one man's decision in 1987. Liang Aizhou saw a desperate turtle in a market and spent 40 yuan to buy it and release it back into the ocean. That moment changed his life's direction.

In 2009, Liang converted his private fish farm into a rescue center using his own savings. Since then, the base has treated 252 sea turtles along with Chinese horseshoe crabs and white dolphins.

Each rescued animal gets personalized care based on its injuries. Staff diagnose wounds, create feeding plans, change dressings, maintain water quality, and monitor health throughout recovery.

The Bright Side

The numbers tell an encouraging story. Injured turtles arriving at the center dropped from more than 10 in 2024 to just six in 2025. Experts see this decline as proof that ocean protection efforts are working.

The base now welcomes student groups and visitors, teaching people why these creatures need protection. Liang plans to open an exhibition hall showing the threats sea turtles face and how ordinary people can help injured animals they encounter.

The local government is backing the work with 600,000 yuan in funding for upgrades and outreach programs. Liang is also working with Guangdong Ocean University to explore breeding programs, though the sandy beach environments and technology required make it a long-term goal.

The green turtle that started its recovery six years ago is almost ready. Once experts confirm it can survive independently, staff will release it back into the wild where it belongs.