Andy

Andy is another special Ao Pakad turtle with a close connection to Big Blue Diving Khao Lak. This sub-adult hawksbill has been reported seven times in the Andaman Turtle Watch database – all sightings from Ao Pakad, and all recorded by Big Blue’s own Sam Hunt. Every encounter has been on the shallow reef between 4-5m, where Andy is often observed foraging. On three occasions, he was even spotted alongside fellow subadult hawksbills 0036 Leah and 0052 Nelly Noo.

While we aim to keep our research scientific, sometimes the stories behind these turtles make conservation fun and relatable. Andy, for instance, was named after Sam’s brother-in-law, who also happens to be married to Leah’s namesake. The Big Blue team couldn’t resist drawing playful parallels between their land-based relationship and the underwater encounters of Andy and Leah – with Nelly Noo cheekily added into the mix as a possible “third wheel.” It’s not science, but it certainly brings a smile to the office.

Humour aside, Ao Pakad has already proven to be an interesting turtle hotspot in the early days of Andaman Turtle Watch’s monitoring. More sightings – and more citizen scientist contributions – are needed to confirm its importance, but for now, we’ll keep our eyes on Ao Pakad and listen to the stories the ocean is beginning to share.