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Three islands off the north east coast of Borneo constitute the Turtle Island Natl Park.

Sea turtles use these as their nesting site, with the females returning during the night to excavate holes, lay their eggs and then return to the sea. Most are free sea turtles, although we are told hawksbill turtles also behave this way. This returning to the beach is not seasonal, and turtles appear to return virtually every night.

The islands are protected, and cared for by naturalists, who await the nocturnal arrival of the turtles, confiscate all the eggs, replant them in a protected zone, and return hatchlings to the sea.

On one of the three islands, Sandakan, tourists are allowed on the island, though visits to the beach are limited to the daylight hours. Each night the naturalists allow the visitors to watch this process as the eggs are harvested, and stored.