Projects Being Planned

The TCC has proposed an ambitious project to “Elevate survival prospects for the critically endangered southern river terrapin (Batagur affinis) of Terengganu, Malaysia, through research, conservation, local community participation, public outreach and education.”

The objectives of the project are:

1. To provide a record and assessment of the current nesting density and conservation status of B. affinis in all the river systems of Terengganu.
2. To continue with current conservation and research activities on B. affinis conducted by the project manager in the Setiu River and to initiate similar activities in the Besut River.
3. To elucidate major threats to the species in the different river systems.
4. To involve and engage local communities in conserving the species and securing a future for them.
5. To raise public awareness on terrapins in Terengganu and to involve the general public in protecting them.
6. To develop a recovery plan for B. affinis in Terengganu. This will include the need to revise and upgrade existing legislation.

Specific project activities include the following:

1. Survey river systems in Terengganu for presence of B. affinis where there is no official record of its occurrence and identify additional rivers for implementation of conservation programs.
2. Examine existing conservation measures undertaken in the Terengganu, Dungun and Setiu Rivers and assess their efficacy.
3. Determine and assess threats to the survival of B. affinis in the rivers systems where it occurs.
4. Intensify purchase of B. affinis eggs in the Setiu River, optimize hatch rates and head-starting processes, with local community participation.
5. Continue monitoring work on growth, distribution and performance of head-started terrapins in the Setiu River through recaptures from fishers and sampling using basking traps.
6. Initiate egg protection in the Besut River with local community involvement (collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, DWNP).
7. Carry out a state-wide awareness campaign on freshwater turtles in Terengganu and secure public participation in freshwater turtle conservation.
8. Produce a recovery plan for B. affinis in Terengganu that incorporates the need to revise and upgrade existing legislation.

Funding is currently sought to enable project executants to carry out the various activities outlined above.