Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project

Our river terrapin nesting and tagging study was initiated in 2011. To date, this community-based conservation project has saved more than 6,400 terrapin eggs from human consumption, and released close to 4,000 head-started terrapins into the Kemaman River.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 15

 

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

COMMUNITY-BASED RIVER TERRAPIN CONSERVATION PROJECT
This is the river terrapin nesting bank in the Kemaman River.
The “Terrapin Guardians” as they call themselves.
After nesting, the female terrapin is brought back to the campsite. At the campsite, the length and width of the terrapin are measured.
The Terrapin Guardians are also trained in basic data collection and recording.
A microchip is inserted into each female as a form of individual identification.
The next morning, the Terrapin Guardians return from the nesting bank.
Unlike sea turtle eggs, river terrapin eggs are oblong in shape.
All the terrapin eggs are immediately incubated in the hatchery.

All nests are labeled, and cylindrical cages ensure the hatchlings do not escape after emergence.

All terrapin hatchlings are head-started in the hatchery before they are released.
Every year on the first Saturday of October, we shell-abrate our annual Terrapin Independence Day, during which all head-started terrapins are released into the Kemaman River.

Number of adult female terrapins microchipped (2012 - 2023)

Number of terrapin eggs saved from human consumption (2011 - 2023)

Number of terrapin hatchlings produced (2011 - 2023)

Number of terrapins released into the Kemaman River (2011 - 2023)

The next Terrapin Release (5th Oct 2024) will happen in

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

FROM POACHERS TO PROTECTORS

A 3-minute video by Our Better World, Singapore International Foundation
Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok was recently awarded the Commonwealth Point of Light from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her efforts in the community-based terrapin conservation project in Kemaman, Terengganu.

Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia said:

“Dr. Chen has done a great deal on the research and conservation of turtles particularly river terrapins. She has also earned respect for educating, motivating and empowering local communities and children to conserve turtles. Her passion and dedication truly embody the spirit of volunteerism. I am pleased that she is made Malaysia’s Commonwealth Point of Light.”

This is Pak Wazel. He is 56 years old this year. He has 10 children and 9 grandchildren. His youngest son is now 17 years old.

Pak Wazel originates from Kuala Berang, about 2 hours from Kemaman. He was an odd-job worker before settling down in Kg. Pasir Gajah and starting a family. But because he was from a different village, he was regarded as a “nobody” here. A few years ago, when asked about him, local villagers would say, “Wazel? Which Wazel?”

But after joining our terrapin conservation project, he is now known, not only in this village, but also in other communities, as “Wazel Tuntung.” This terrapin conservation project in Kg. Pasir Gajah has indirectly given him “an identity.”

This is Nurul Huda. She is 34 years old, and she has 2 children.

When we started this terrapin conservation project, we needed to do everything ourselves, from marking the terrapin hatchlings to weighing and measuring them, to recording the measurements.

Nurul was always at home taking care of her son, Adiq (in the background). We started teaching the her basic procedures to weigh and measure the terrapin hatchlings, and she subsequently helped us in our routine work.

The first time we paid Nurul an allowance of RM50 for her assistance, she had tears in her eyes. That was the first time she was paid to do anything in her life.

HAVE A PROJECT IN MIND?

We are looking for collaborators who are passionate, hard-working, proactive, results oriented, love good science and enjoy working with the local communities. There is much potential for turtle research in Malaysia but not enough scientists/ students studying them! If you have a project in mind and would like to collaborate with us, we are happy to discuss it further with you!

TALK TO US!