ISKL students help build basking traps
On the 30th of April, a group of 10 students from the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) visited our Mini Turtle Museum in Kg. Mangkok, Setiu. These students had signed up for a 4D3N “Turning Turtle in Terengganu” program offered by Way Out Experiences (WOX).
We were given an hour with the students, so I gave a short talk about Turtle Conservation Centre and the various research, conservation and outreach projects that we are carrying out in the Setiu River, particularly the egg protection program and terrapin release events. Meg, our Fulbright Student Researcher, showed a river terrapin with a radio transmitter affixed, and explained how the river terrapins could be tracked in the river.
The following afternoon, the students returned to TCC to help build an additional two basking traps to trap river terrapins in the river. The necessary materials such as pipes, joints, glue, cable ties and some pictures were provided as reference. After the traps were built, we tested them out in the lagoon at the back of the village. The students had to fix and mend the traps for the traps to stand upright and the ramps secured at a certain angle. The students sure had their first taste of field work that day :D
All of us had a lot of fun constructing the traps and making sure they worked. We would like to thank Fareea Ma and Katie McDonald from WOX as well as teacher Angus Carmichael and students from ISKL for helping build the basking traps and the donations :D
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- Pelf is giving a briefing on the conservation project carried out by TCC
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- Pelf is explaining the difference between sea turtles and river terrapins
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- Meg is explaining how the radio transmitter works
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- Pelf is presenting the Certificate of Adoption to Teacher Angus Carmichael
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- Pelf is discussing with the ISKL students on building a basking trap
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- ISKL students constructing a basking trap
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- Teamwork
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- The students are testing the traps in the lagoon
Photo credits: Katie McDonald and Angus Carmichael
