A leatherback hatchling represents the hope behind Terengganu’s recent nesting events, as experts wait to see whether newly laid eggs will lead to a new generation. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)PETALING JAYA: For decades, the leatherback turtle was one of Terengganu’s most famous visitors, drawing crowds to Rantau Abang to watch the world’s largest sea turtle crawl ashore under cover of darkness.

Then the visits dwindled, with the last recorded nesting in the state taking place in 2017.

That is why the events of the past six weeks have caused such excitement. Since Sept 1, five leatherback nesting events have been recorded along the Terengganu coast, producing a total of 313 eggs.

The latest occurred at Pantai Rantau Abang on Oct 10, when a turtle came ashore at about 3am, laid its eggs at 4.30am and returned to the sea around 5.45am.