Naozhou Island off the coast of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, has become a sea turtle and related wildlife sanctuary as part of efforts to preserve marine life in the area. [Photo by Wu Dongjun, Nanfang Daily/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Naozhou Island off the coast of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, has become a sea turtle and related wildlife sanctuary as part of efforts to preserve marine life in the area.

According to official statistics, the sanctuary has provided treatment for 252 sea turtles, along with countless aquatic creatures such as Chinese horseshoe crabs and Chinese white dolphins, over the last 17 years.

It is also Guangdong's provincial aquatic wildlife rescue and science popularization base, said Liu Zhenqiang, a staff member from the island.

According to Liu, the base looks after a variety of turtle species, which come into their care when found with injuries or when confiscated during law enforcement operations.

Liu described one particular turtle that had arrived on the island six years ago. At the time, the animal was emaciated, so the base developed a rehabilitation plan. The animal now weighs more than 190 kilograms, making it one of the heaviest residents on the island.

In 2009, local Liang Aizhou dipped into his savings to completely renovate the site. Since then, the base has become a haven of warmth for injured aquatic creatures.

"Zhanjiang is one of the major migration routes for wild sea turtles, and every winter, large numbers of them swim near Naozhou to spend the season," said Liang, adding that the island is expected to help protect ocean creatures and contribute to the city's development of marine economy.