Malaysia: Move to save terrapins

Farik Zolkepli The Star 17 Jul 11;

SETIU: WWF Malaysia is concerned over the habit of people eating turtle eggs in the state.

The foundation's Terengganu Turtle Conservation team leader Rahayu Zulkifli said the cooperation of the people as well as tourists was essential in order to remove terrapin eggs from the menu.

She said WWF Malaysia was alarmed that certain tourist guides still promoted the eating of terrapin eggs.

“I was informed that the guides would casually remind tourists not to miss the chance to eat the eggs while they are in Terengganu,” she told The Star yesterday.

Rahayu said her team of researchers, volunteers as well as forest rangers were working hard to save the painted terrapin or tuntung, which has been classified as critically endangered.

“If the demand for the eggs diminishes, then we can ensure the terrapin population is saved,” she added.

Rahayu said if the advice not to eat turtle eggs was not heeded, the painted terrapins could share the same fate as the famous leatherback turtles of Rantau Abang.

“In the past, leatherback turtles were commonly sighted there.

“In the 1950s, the number of turtles nests was about 10,000, but the number decreased to less than 10 in 2010.

“No sighting has been recorded so far this year,” she said, adding that WWF Malaysia feared the turtles might have become extinct.

Rahayu also said the Setiu Wetlands was now considered the last global frontier for painted terrapins.

“In 1993, a total of 200 nests were discovered, but that went down to 67 last year,” she added.

She said WWF Malaysia had made efforts in its conservation work since 2009 to save the painted terrapins.

Among them were the egg buy-back scheme, whereby the foundation buys terrapins eggs from licensed egg collectors, and the creation of awareness programmes for the locals, especially in Kampung Mangkok and Kampung Penarik.