Activities Report Mar 2000 Newsletter

Act fast before any other Malaysian wildlife goes extinct! 
      The Malaysian Nature Society regrets that the leatherback turtle might be Malaysia’s first animal species to go extinct this millennium. The once emphasized mascot, Johan, in Malaysia’s tourism industry in the early 80’s ( PATA) is soon to meet its doom all because efforts for its conservation came too little too late.
      Turtles have been around for almost 200 million years ago and were once abundant during the Cretaceous period (130 million years ago). Compared to the dinosaurs, turtles are considered the most successful. Nevertheless over the years, 30 species have become extinct. Today there are only seven species left, four out of which are found in Malaysia. Soon however, only three will survive.
      Malaysia is one of the world’s twelve mega-diversity areas and it is up to us to maintain that richness. Three other Malaysian turtles and even other terrestrial animals could a face similar fate if conservation efforts are not properly and immediately implemented. These turtles include the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Erectmochelys imbricata) and the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The eggs of many of these turtles are still harvested for food, the adults are frequently subjected to threats from fishing nets and from poachers, and their nesting sites are under threat from development, land reclamation and pollution.
      As for the leatherback turtle, many conservation efforts were put into saving it. Among them include the Trengganu State governments restriction in the trade and consumption of the eggs off the leatherback in the early 80’s, the incubation of turtle eggs by the Sea Turtle Research Unit of University College Trengganu, and the constant monitoring by Fisheries Department. Although all of these agencies fought hard to save the leatherback, its survival rate today is almost nil and extinction is almost irreversible. What could and should be learnt from this sad reality is the need for more research and funding as well as quicker action in many areas of conservation before another ‘Johan’ of some other species goes extinct.
      The help from all local authorities, especially from areas most frequented by turtles, would tremendously help the effort in saving the turtles. Among other steps that might help in the conservation of the sea turtles include: 
  1. Creating more protected areas especially those frequented by turtles as nesting sites 
  2. Minimizing many of the proposed developments near sea fronts especially near potential and existing nesting sites.
  3. Stricter laws and heftier penalties that prohibit the trade in turtle parts and the collection of its eggs
    for consumption 
  4. The introduction of responsible fishing technology to local fishermen, eg the use of turtle-friendly nets.
  5. Special incentives could be given to professional licensed) collectors for nesting farms to properly collect eggs, which in turn would produce a higher hatching rate.
  6. The education of fishermen on turtle conservation too plays an important role in turtle survival for the future.
  7. The need for more public education, awareness and support. 
      The government and the public must be aware that extinction is a real possibility and a threat and is not a ‘cry wolf’ stunt! All of us must be concerned. Today it is the leatherback. Unless we are truly concerned and committed, what is there to prevent other fauna (and flora) from going extinct as well? MNS appeals for concerted effort by all to prevent extinction of any wildlife, whether fauna or flora.

Dato’ Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor        Kuala Lumpur, 14 January, 2000 


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Created on 15th Mar 2000