Donatello

Donatello is a sub-adult hawksbill turtle, named fondly after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Faustine Ducarre, a freelance instructor in Khao Lak. Since that first encounter, Donatello has been reported another two times by the Big Blue team, with all three sightings occurring around Similan Island 9.

Observers consistently describe Donatello as a “tiny turtle,” and in one encounter he was seen foraging in the same area as another individual, 0064 Undetermined. He also boasts pronounced serrated edges along the marginal scutes – a typical identifying feature of sub-adult hawksbills.

Andaman Turtle Watch is working hard to catalogue as many sea turtles as possible across the Andaman Sea. The more sightings we record, the more powerful our data becomes – and the stronger the conservation actions that can follow. Big Blue encourages everyone – tourists, locals, divers, snorkellers, and fishermen – to join the movement and report sea turtle sightings to Andaman Turtle Watch. Together, we can spot, share, and save sea turtles in the Andaman Sea.