Malaysia: Turtle carcasses found in Sabah

The Star 22 Mar 14;

KOTA KINABALU: An academic studying the economic behaviour of Sabah’s northern communities stumbled upon 60 decomposing turtle carcasses on a remote island.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Dr James Alin, an economist, said he was carrying out research at Pulau Tiga – an island under the proposed Tun Mustapha marine park in Northern Sabah when he smelt a stench.

“The smell was so strong, and after looking around for the source, my guide and I discovered these carcasses last week,” he said.

Dr Alin added that leftover flesh and discarded internal organs were decomposing in some of creatures while others were still intact with only some of their parts missing.

“I also noticed that many of the carcasses scattered at the sites had their scutes (scale-like structures used for making jewellery) re­­moved,” he said.

The lecturer said he was no turtle expert but suspected the carcasses belonged to the hawksbill sea turtle, green turtle, olive ridleys, and loggerhead species, among others.

Dr Alin said there was also a hut-like structure as well as a fireplace near the area where they found the carcasses, believed to have been used by poachers.

He said over his 10 years’ experience doing research on the islands here, he had heard about turtles and other marine life poaching, but had never seen evidence of such claims.

“The islanders even told us about locals and foreigners poaching all the time, some for self-consumption and some to be sold,” he said, adding that they claimed that the authorities were informed about such incidences.

“But these claims were never supported with proof, and the authorities would not investigate. That’s why these activities never stop,” he said.

Probe into turtle carcasses in Sabah
ruben sario The Star 23 Mar 14;

KOTA KINABALU: State wildlife authorities are investigating the discovery of 60 decomposing turtle carcasses on a remote northern island here.

State Tourism, Culture and Envi­ronment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said that Sabah Parks officials were probing the discovery by Universiti Malaysia Sabah academician Dr James Alin at Pulau Tiga, an island under the proposed Tun Mustapha marine park.

“Among the things the Sabah Parks will try to determine is where the turtles came from,” he said.

The discovery has raised concerns among various NGOs, including the Sabah Tourist Guide Association, whose president Daniel Doughty said it should be the impetus to gazette the island as a marine park.

“A marine park status will mean more protection for all creatures in its zone,” he said.

Daniel said after seeing the photographs of the dead turtles, he felt that Pulau Tiga resembled a “killing field” of the marine creatures.

“We cannot allow this to persist in our backyard. Something has to be done and one of the first steps is making the area a marine park, which we have been waiting for for at least 10 years,” he added.

According to the Sabah Parks website, the proposed 1.02mil ha Tun Mustapha marine park encompassed more than 50 islands and islets located across Kudat, Pitas and Kota Marudu districts in Kudat-Banggi Priority Conservation Area.

The proposed marine park has a unique biodiversity that supports a series of complex and linked habitats and is home to endangered marine animals such as green sea turtles and dugongs.