Great news from the Kemaman River

Nota: Baca artikel ini dalam Bahasa Malaysia: Berita baik dari Sungai Kemaman

In February 2011, we initiated a river terrapin conservation program in the Kemaman River, with the cooperation from three local communities and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN). The local communities that are involved in the conservation program are the JKKK (Village Committees) of Kg. Tok Kapor, Kg. Pasir Gajah and Kg. Dadong along the Kemaman River.

A total of 649 river terrapin eggs were saved from human consumption in the Kemaman River, and we are pleased to announce that 233 hatchlings were produced, with an average hatching success of 36%.

In Kg. Tok Kapor, a total of 219 eggs from 16 clutches were incubated and 27 hatchlings were produced. The hatching success was recorded at 12%. The eggs were initially incubated by the Pinang River bank but unfortunately, a bout of heavy rain and subsequent floods in March inundated the eggs undergoing incubation. The eggs were carefully transfered to higher grounds and the incubation process resumed. We excavated the nests on the 16th May and found that out of the 16 nests that were undergoing incubation, only 5 nests had live hatchlings. While the nests survived the movement and relocation during the floods, they were infested by ants. Most eggs that did not hatch had ant holes on them, and hatchlings that pipped but did not make it to the top of the nests showed signs of being bitten to death by ants.

In Kg. Pasir Gajah, a total of 420 eggs from 24 clutches were incubated and 198 hatchlings were produced. The hatching success was recorded at 47%. Half of the river terrapin hatchlings that had emerged were released into the Kemaman River on the 21st May in a small ceremony.

Last but not least, in Kg. Dadong, 10 eggs from one clutch were incubated on the 27th February and 8 hatchlings were produced, with a hatching success of 80%.

Despite the marginal hatching success, we would like to commend the local villagers who had taken very good care of the eggs and hatchlings. The river terrapin conservation program would not have taken off without the enthusiasm, support and action from the local communities.

All the hatchlings were marked, weighed and measured upon emergence, except for those whose carapace have not fully opened up.

Following are some pictures associated with the river terrapin conservation program in the Kemaman River. Picture #5 was taken by Gerald Kuchling, picture #11 was taken by Pelf, and the remaining pictures were taken by Wee Seng Whatt.