Terrapin release @ Kg. Tok Kapor
On Saturday, 24th March 2012, we released 21 river terrapins into the Kemaman River in a “release of life” ceremony. These river terrapins, aged 10 months, were hatched last year from the Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project, a joint-project between Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS), the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) and the Tok Kapor Village Security and Development Committee in Binjai, Kemaman.
Approximately 30 people were present at the release ceremony. Also present at the release ceremony were Y.B. Dato’ Toh Chin Yaw, the Chairman of State Environment, Consumer Affair and Health Committee, Y.B. Wan Abdul Hakim b. Wan Mokhtar, ADUN Air Putih, local villagers from Kg. Tok Kapor, Kg. Pasir Gajah, as well as representatives from TCS.
Under the River Terrapin Conservation Project, a total of 219 river terrapin eggs from 16 nests were secured for incubation. Of these, 27 river terrapin hatchlings successfully hatched. The low hatching success was attributed to the bout of rain and sudden flooding of the river in March last year. All the eggs that were undergoing incubation were inundated and had to be retrieved and transferred to higher grounds.
While the eggs 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.
At the time of release, the river terrapins had an average weight of 830 g, and an average length and width of 17.2 cm and 15 cm, respectively.
All the terrapins were put up for adoption before their eventual release, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the following donors for supporting our Terrapin Adoption Campaign:
- Y.B. Dato’ Toh Chin Yaw and family, 4 terrapins
- Dora Khoo
- Toh Yin Li
- Anuar McAfee and family
- Vicki Chew Yii Ching
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- VVIPs on the front row.
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- Part of the 30-strong crowd that attended the humble release ceremony.
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- Some prefer to watch from afar?
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- In his speech, Y.B. Dato Toh praised the villagers for being dedicated to the project.
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- Y.B. Dato Toh and his son, Callum, planting a tree as a symbolic gesture.
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- Y.B. Wan Abdul Hakim planted a tree too!
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- Y.B. Wan Hakim, Y.B. Dato Toh, To Puan Sea and Callum, getting ready to release their terrapins.
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- Y.B. Wan Abdul Hakim was the first to release his terrapin.
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- There you go, little one.
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- One for the album.
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- Cheering the young adult as it returns to the river.
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- Well done, everybody!
More pictures taken during the release can be found on the TCS Facebook page. All photos were taken by Wee Seng Whatt, our Hon. Treasurer and official photographer :D
