Saturday, 21st May 2011 was a historical day to the local community of Pasir Gajah Village in Kemaman because on this day, more than 100 river terrapin hatchlings were released into the Kemaman River for the first time.
Sebanyak 649 butir telur tuntung sungai telah dikutip dan dieram di Sungai Kemaman. Sebanyak 233 anak tuntung telah dihasilkan, dengan purata kadar penetasan sebanyak 36%.
A total of 649 river terrapin eggs were saved from human consumption in the Kemaman River. We are pleased to announce that 233 hatchlings were produced, with an average hatching success of 36%.
On the 30th of April, a group of 10 students from the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) visited our Mini Turtle Museum in Kg. Mangkok, Setiu and helped build two basking traps. These students had signed up for a 4D3N “Turning Turtle in Terengganu” program offered by Way Out Experiences (WOX).
This year in the Setiu River, we recorded a total of only 11 clutches of river terrapin eggs. Of these, we were able to purchase only 4 nests (a total of 93 eggs) for incubation. However, none of these eggs hatched.
I have just returned from a 3-day Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) at the University of Cambridge, UK. I was also fortunate enough to be awarded a bursary, which means that my return air tickets, accommodation and food were all provided for! :D