Helping to save Aceh’s terrapins

Date: 21 December 2009
By: Sean Augustin
Source: The New Straits Times

KUALA TERENGGANU: Malaysia is helping Indonesia to preserve a tiny population of painted terrapins in Aceh. About three painted terrapins were spotted along Sungai Kuruk Tiga, a man-made river in Aceh Tamiang, a few months ago.

Unfortunately, the site is a target for egg collectors and sellers, which spells bad news for the species whose population in Indonesia is depleting, according to Satu Cita Institute researcher Dony Hermansyah.

The institute sees to the conservation of terrapins.

Dony is here to learn about micro-chipping techniques and how to measure and weigh the terrapins for data collection, among others. Micro-chipping allows for the identification of terrapins.

He also intends to start a project similar to the one run by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, which raises terrapin hatchlings in captivity until they are 3 years old before releasing them into Sungai Setiu.
“I hope to replenish the terrapin population in my country. I want to do something before it is too late. I have learnt a lot and I will pass on my knowledge to the villagers. They have very little awareness of conserving terrapins.”

Turtle Conservation Centre chief executive officer and co-founder Prof Chan Eng Heng said she was more than happy to share her expertise.