Bernama 19 Mar 12;
SEMATAN (Sarawak), March 19 (Bernama) -- The turtle adoption and conservation programme carried out by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) at the Talang Satang National Park was to conserve the population of the Green Turtle species (Chelonia mydas).
National Park caretaker Tonny Ganyer said the three turtle islands where the turtle conservation was being carried out - Pulau Talang Besar, Pulau Talang Kecil and Pulau Satang Besar - provide a perfect sanctuary for turtles to come ashore and lay eggs.
"The Green Turtles are fast becoming an endangered species due to predators in the sea and sea gulls as well as the danger posed by human, like fishing and beach activities," he said after a briefing on turtle conservation and research in Pulau Talang Besar here.
He said last year about 3,000 turtles had landed on the shores of the three islands to lay about 200,000 eggs, between the months of March to September.
A major reason why marine turtles throughout the world are in danger is the continuing loss of nesting habitat and its is believed that marine turtles have an extremely high affinity for their nesting beaches, and therefore the loss or reduction of even a single nesting beach can have serious effects.
-- BERNAMA
