The WWF-Malaysia turtle teams work at 3 project sites, and they are in Padang Kamunting and the surrounding beaches in Melaka, as well as Kerteh and Setiu in Terengganu. We work closely with the Department of Fisheries on several fronts, which include beach patrolling and hatchery management, egg buy-back, training the rangers and egg collectors, scientific research, as well as community education and awareness.
As the Team Leader for WWF-Malaysia’s Terengganu Turtle Conservation, my work broadly involves ensuring our team delivers the project outputs and activities in accordance with the agreed work plan, time frame and within the prescribed budget. We also update our funders regularly either in writing or personally, and sometimes both, on the status of our project.
As a media practitioner, it is heartening to see that local journalists i.e. those in Terengganu in particular are taking a keen interest on the issue which is at their doorstep.
The myth and one that I love to debunk is that turtle eggs are aphrodisiacs. They certainly are NOT. People have analysed the nutrient content of turtle eggs and found them to be no better than chicken eggs.
We have a surprise additional package sponsored by Rahayu, one of our guest bloggers for the Turtle Blogathon. She is offering a 3D2N stay for two at Berjaya Tioman Resort (valid till 31st December 2009) and we are putting it up for auction.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 lists several levels of protection for endangered species of wild animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects), but completely omitted all species of terrapins and tortoises.