Volunteers: The Saviours Of Turtles in Malaysia

Syarifah Hunaini Syed Ismail, Bernama 18 May 10;

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 18 (Bernama) -- It is most unfortunate that the turtle that has survived since the Jurassic era, about 145 to 208 million years ago, is now on the verge of extinction.

It is among the creatures that can live up to 100 years but nowadays its lifespan has been shortened due to natural threats and the threats caused by humankind.

The turtle eggs is relished by humans and other animals and new turtle hatchlings are easy prey for monitor lizards and birds before they can make it to the sea.

In the sea, the fishermen's nets are the main contributor for turtle fatalities. But there are some who care for the turtles and are taking the efforts to boost the turtle population.

GENERATING AWARENESS

In Malaysia, the Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is among the agencies entrusted with the task to conduct studies and conservation activities since 1993.

Through the Turtle Volunteer programme the public, including foreigners, have the opportunity to be directly involved in conservation activities.

The unit was established by two UMT lecturers, Prof Dr Chan Eng Heng and Associate Prof Liew Hock Chark, but since both have retired it is now being headed by Dr Juanita Joseph.

Juanita, 36, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, who is also a lecturer with UMT's Faculty Of Maritime Studies and Marine Science noted that the turtle volunteer programme is also conducted by other conservation centres of the world.

"This programme is to create awareness and provide a chance for the public to take part in turtle conservation efforts, and to help finance the turtle conservation programme in Chagar Hutang," she told Bernama, recently.

STANDARD CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

The activities under this programme are considered standard activities in conserving turtles all over the world, with the volunteers monitoring the turtle's nest, keeping the preying beasts at bay and analyze the hatchlings, clean up the beach and assist in research work.

The four turtle species that land in the country are the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea).

However, the Chagar Hutang beach in Pulau Redang only receives the Green and the Hawksbill turtle. Pulau Redang is one of the 10 most beautiful islands of the world and declared a turtle sanctuary in 2005.

From 1993 to 2004, SEATRU had spent RM500,000 to purchase turtle eggs from licensed sellers with the green turtle eggs costing RM120 per nest and RM150 for hawksbill.

GOOD RESPONSE

Hitherto, SEATRU has received 3,000 volunteers from Malaysia, Singapore, German, United Kingdom, France, Australia and China since the program began in 1993.

For this year, SEATRU's Turtle Volunteer Programme is from April 3 to Oct 2 with all the 30 slots offered already taken up by foreigners and locals.

"The response for this programme is very encouraging though the programme was not widely publicised. Many become keen to participate after learning of the programme from their friends or relatives who have volunteered.

"I was surprised that we received more than 200 emails an hour after online registration was opened on Feb 14 through SEATRU's website," said Juanita adding that those keen to participate had to be above 18.

Each volunteer is to be on the island for a week during each slot with each slot having eight volunteers.

NOT ALLOWED TO GET CLOSE WITH NESTING TURTLE

The volunteers, who will be assisted by research assistants, will start work at 7 pm beginning with beach patrol and when a turtle lands to lay eggs they will be observing from a comfortable distance.

"Normally, the tracks left by the turtles while getting on shore indicates their presence.

"When the turtle finds a suitable place to lay its eggs, it will start the body pitting before it starts digging the nest. The egg laying process takes between 3 and 5 hours," she said.

Volunteers can only get near the turtle after the reptile has completed laying eggs.

As the turtle is highly sensitive to light, the use of light at the beach is not allowed including the camera's flash.

PATROLS TO PREVENT ENCROACHMENT

After midnight, volunteers patrol with SEATRU staff in shifts up to 6 am.

During the day, volunteers will take turns to patrol to make sure the turtle nests are not disturbed or the eggs eaten by preys.

In the evenings, volunteers are to inspect the nests and the hatchlings or eggs that have been incubated more than 45 days to determine the hatching rate and see the reasons why the eggs have yet to hatch.

"Based on the studies conducted in year 2000, we learned that the turtle's gender is determined by the incubation temperature, with the males coming from nests under shade while the females coming from nests in the open," noted Juanita.

However, based on the observation in the sanctuary, the mother turtle that lands is the one that chooses the nest under the shade or in the open.

"At Chagar Hutang, the male and female turtles that hatch are almost in equal numbers. The hatching rate of 77 to 89 percent is also encouraging and since 1993 about 350,000 Green turtle and 7,000 Hawksbill have hatched here," she said.

A CHANCE TO SAVOUR THE BEAUTY

Other than conservation activities lined up by SEATRU, volunteers will have their own time to indulge in some interesting activities.

"There is the chance for the volunteers to savour the beauty of nature, without the disruption from telephone or Internet...there were also some who grumbled because they missed Facebook but soon they overcame their disappointment," she said.

Other than turtles, Chagar Hutang is also the home for wildlife like mousedeer, squirrel, moths and butterflies, bats and birds.

"The Chagar Hutang bay area is also known as 'Turtle Bay' that is rich in coral species and beautiful fishes. Volunteers often love to snorkel here," she said.

Volunteers also take the opportunity to climb up the 'Turtle Rock', the rock that resembles a giant turtle, which the locals believe attracts turtles to land there.

They can also test their pain endurance by allowing their legs to be 'cleaned' by the shrimps at the 'prawn spa'.

The facilities at Chagar Hutang is minimal to retain the natural environment and beauty that the volunteers will appreciate.

Apart from wildlife conservation, SEATRU also helps to clear up pollution by turning biodegradable waste to composite. The other waste will be sent to the waste collection centre in Redang Island before being shipped to the mainland.

Only limited use of soap and shampoo are allowed and the use of toilet paper is forbidden.

THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

The volunteer programme imposes a fee for the wonderful experience awaiting those who are keen.

Local students have to pay RM300 while international students US$150, adult locals have to pay RM500 and other foreigners US$250.

As for next year, Juanita noted that SEATRU will open the avenue for the corporate sector to volunteer and bookings will open in June.

Further information on the volunteer programme is available at SEATRU's website at: http://www.umt.edu.my/seatru.

-- BERNAMA