KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — When you suppose of turtles of Malaysia, likelihood is it’s leatherback, inexperienced or hawksbill marine turtles that come to thoughts.
But do you know that we’ve 18 species of freshwater turtles, together with river terrapins which might be solely discovered within the wild right here and in Cambodia?
To unfold consciousness on freshwater turtles, the lesser-known cousins of sea turtles, Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) co-founder Dr Chen Pelf Nyok printed and launched the Turtles of Malaysia colouring book in July final year.
Since then, about 300 copies have been offered and 1,700 copies distributed to school children of Terengganu without cost throughout their Turtle Awareness Programmes.
The 44-page bilingual colouring book co-authored by conservationist Loretta Ann Shepherd and illustrated by Yap Kim Ming, options three species of tortoises, 4 species of softshell turtles, often known as labi-labi and 11 species of terrapins, together with aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles in addition to river terrapins.
A smiling grownup river terrapin, often known as tuntung sungai, on the Kemaman River, Terengganu. — Picture courtesy of Vera Nieuwenhuis
“There was no such colouring book out there or book retailers, so the concept was to fill that hole,” stated 42-year-old Chen, who has a PhD in Zoology from National University of Malaysia.
She intentionally ignored sea turtles in order that the main target could be on freshwater turtles, who’re so critically endangered that 10 of 18 species are listed as Totally Protected below Malaysia’s Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which was amended in 2022.
Last month, TCS held a Giving Tuesday fundraiser that raised one other 1,037 copies of Turtles of Malaysia, which shall be distributed to more school children in Terengganu in March, 2024, which marks the beginning of the brand new educational year.
Founded in 2011 and primarily based in Kemaman, Terengganu, TCS conducts two to three-hour instructional turtle camps for school children, largely in rural Terengganu.
“We give talks, placed on turtle reveals with specimens and provides them goody baggage with the colouring book inside,” stated Chen who has been doing work on freshwater turtles since 2004 and gained a regional scholarship to do her PhD from the CIMB Foundation in 2011.
When they get invited by colleges in KL, TCS will even arrange a sales space promoting turtle batik merchandise, made by girls from villages in Terengganu.
“It’s our method of attempting to self-sustain,” stated Chen. “Also, the ladies receives a commission to stitch varied turtle-batik merchandise so that they make an revenue for his or her households.”
She added that after they do their camps in colleges, the response is just about the identical.
“Teacher, dad and mom, even grandparents, inform us repeatedly, they didn’t even know we’ve freshwater turtles in Malaysia.”
Since 2011, TCS has been microchipping river terrapins in Kemaman River via its mark and recapture programme.
Eggs collected from river banks are incubated within the sand for 3 months in hatcheries situated in native communities.
The hatchlings are then head-started (raised in a pond for a number of months) earlier than they’re launched into Kemaman River on Terrapin Independence Day, which is an annual public occasion celebrated on the primary Saturday of October.
“If we don’t do that, all of the eggs shall be eaten by neighbouring villagers and monitor lizards,” stated Kuantan-born Chen who grew up in Ipoh and Melaka.
“We have a number of anti-poaching groups within the kampung and they’re going to patrol 4 nesting banks each year as a result of there’ll at all times be any individual from neighbouring villages who desires to gather the eggs for consumption.”
Even although over 4,000 hatchlings have been launched previously 12 years since 2011, newest findings present that there are solely 235 grownup terrapins in Kemaman River.
A river terrapin hatchling being launched into the river (left) and Shepherd and Chen on the TCS Terrapin Conservation Centre in Kemaman, Terengganu, — Pictures courtesy of Vera Nieuwenhius and TCS
“The drawback is that they take 20 years to achieve sexual maturity and lay eggs,” stated Chen, who has a 12-year-old daughter together with her taekwondo teacher husband.
“So many issues can occur in 20 years, adults could get killed by fishing gear, and hatchlings could get eaten by crocodiles and monitor lizards. We want to attend one other eight years to learn how profitable our conservation mission is.”
The survival of our terrapins is essential as they carry out ecological roles in dispersing seeds of mangrove fruits, serving to to scrub up the rivers by feeding on animal carrion and offering a supply of meals to different wildlife via their eggs.
Apart from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), TCS is the one NGO doing work on freshwater turtles with the remainder specializing in sea turtles.
“We want more individuals to be their voice or else they’ll develop into extinct proper below our noses.”
To discover out how one can assist elevate funds for freshwater turtle conservation or sponsor an academic turtle camp for 50 college students for less than RM700, go to https://www.turtleconservationsociety.org.my/
