Turtle Islands National Park (Malaysia)

Turtle Islands Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Turtle Islands
Location	Sabah, Malaysia
Nearest city	Sandakan
Coordinates	6°08′58″N 118°3′15″E / 6.14944°N 118.05417°E / 6.14944; 118.05417
Area	17 km2 (6.6 sq mi)
Established	1977
Governing body	Sabah Parks

Turtle Islands Park (Taman Pulau Penyu) is located within the Turtle Islands, which lie in the Sulu Sea^[1] some 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) north of Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia.^[2] It consists of 3 islands - Selingaan, Little Bakkungan and Gulisaan (often spelt with -an instead of the traditional -aan), including the surrounding coral reefs and ocean. The Park is noted for its green turtles and hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs on the beaches of the islands. The Park covers an area of 17.4 km². The name Turtle Islands, however, refers to 10 islands, 3 of which are part of Turtle Islands Park of Malaysia, and 7 which belong to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary of Tawi-Tawi province, Philippines.

On 1 August 1966, the first turtle hatchery in Malaysia was established on Selingan, funded entirely by the Sabah state government. Turtle hatcheries on the remaining two islands followed shortly after. In 1972, Selingan, Bakkungan Kechil and Gulisan were designated as a Game and Bird Sanctuary. In 1977, this status was upgraded to that of a Marine Park.^[3] Permanent park staff monitor the turtles, protect the hatcheries and tag the turtles for research purposes. Libaran Island is also designated within the park boundaries, however it is not a major turtle hatching spot.

Turtle Islands Park is administered by Sabah Parks.