TCC’s inaugural Terrapin Independence Day: A joyous event told in pictures
The Turtle Conservation Centre held its inaugural Terrapin Independence Day on the 9th of September 2009. It was a joyous event attended by 40 fishermen, some kids, TCC staff and helpers, two WWF officers based in Penarik and some journalists. A total of 99 three-year-old river terrapins head-started at the University Malaysia Terengganu Terrapin Head-Starting Facility were released at Tebing Pasir Pak Lah Teh, one of the nesting banks of the river terrapins in the Setiu River. All the terrapins have been micro-chipped to enable us to monitor their progress in the wild after release. These terrapins are available for adoption by members of the public. Please click here for adoption details.
Join us in this happy event by viewing the pictures below (please click for larger images in the form of a gallery):
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- The 99 terappins were brought to Beris Tok Ku in 3 fibreglass tanks in a lorry.
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- Transferring the terrapins from the tanks to a boat. Note the eager helping hands of local fishermen.
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- Pelf – pretty, efficient and capable friend of the terrapins.
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- Malik, leader of the fishermen helps us count the terrapins.
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- Fishermen looking at the 99 terrapins soon to be released.
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- We look on and tease Malik as he counts the terrapins.
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- Ha ha… You can see how much fun we were having. Clockwise, Fong, me, Pelf and Nurol, WWF officer.
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- Fong shows off a terrapin as we approach Tebing Pasir Pak Lah Teh
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- Handing out the terrapins to the fishermen who had arrived in TebingPasir Pak Lah Teh for the release.
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- The release was enjoyed by all – young and old.
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- How fast they moved once we released our grip on them.
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- Happy momento for Fong and me.
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- Ha ha… What a handful for Malik!
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- What a wonderful time we had!
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- Happy trio and six terrapins.
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- Joyous moments etched in our minds forever.
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- Our two youngest participants
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- These three are in no hurry to get to the river.
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- Close-up of one of the terrapins
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- What a wonderful feeling to set them free.
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- Ride back to Beris Tok Ku after the release of the terrapins.
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- With Ropi, a wonderful fishemen who has been indispensible in our terrapin work in the Setiu River.
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- Getting ready for “buka puasa.”
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- The scene just before “buka puasa” (break fast).
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- Journalists interviewing Pak Cik Mohd. Nor, the oldest fisherman in Setiu.
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- Prayers before the breaking of the fast.
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- Yum yum, are we not hungry :)
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- A simple but meaningful meal together.
Acknowledgments:
- Mr. Alex Lee of Ping Anchorage for providing his lorry to transport the terrapins.
- Malek for the use of his stall or “gerai makan”.
- Ropi for all his help.
- Fong and Giap for helping us bring the food to Beris Tok Ku.
- Sean and Imran the photographer (from NST) and Hida (from Berita Harian) for attending the function.
- Prof. Noor Azhar of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for agreeing to let us release the terrapins.
- Kak Wani the caterer who agreed to help us at the 11th hour.