Chen (second from right) with stakeholders of the terrapin conservation programme as they release terrapins into Sungai Kemaman.
AROUND 800 members of the public were at the banks of Sungai Kemaman to witness the annual terrapin (Batagur affinis) release organised by Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS).
The annual release of river terrapins in Terengganu, this time involving 300 hatchlings, demonstrates the commitment of Kampung Pasir Gajah villagers to do their part in conserving this threatened species.
TCS executive director Dr Chen Pelf Nyok said this year, 1,035 eggs were collected for incubation, compared to 668 eggs collected last year.
“This was due to increased co-operation from the villagers who are affectionately known as ‘Terrapin Guardians’.
“The villagers have been working hard to protect river terrapin eggs from four riverbanks along Sungai Kemaman.” Chen is a freshwater turtle researcher and conservationist with a deep interest in the biology and ecology of the river terrapins — a rare species of freshwater turtles only found in southern Thailand, Cambodia and Peninsular Malaysia.
From the eggs collected, 638 river terrapin hatchlings were produced, and they were “hardened” for nature for up to five months before they were ready for release into the wild.
In his speech at the event, Air Putih assemblyman Mohd Hafiz Adam reiterated the importance of protecting the terrapins and commended TCS and local communities.
Villagers living near Sungai Kemaman doing their bit in the annual terrapin release.
Also at the event was Watsons marketing and customer growth general manager Danny Ho, who presented a contribution as a sign of support.
“Watsons Malaysia is consistently at the forefront of planet- saving initiatives,” he said.
The river terrapin, called tuntung in Malay, is listed as a totally protected species in Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and is found only in Kedah, Perak and Terengganu.
The River Terrapin Conserva-tion Project was initiated by TCS in 2011, with support from Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), and villagers from Kampung Pasir Gajah.
To date, more than 8,220 terrapin eggs have been saved from human consumption and more than 4,500 hatchlings have been released into Sungai Kemaman.
The event also included free health screening for the public and an exhibition on various turtle conservation projects.
The projects included Lang Tengah Turtle Watch (a nominee for the Star Golden Hearts Award) and initiatives by Malaysian Nature Society and Sea Turtle Research Unit of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
For details on terrapin conservation, visit www.turtleconservationsociety. org.my
