Date: 14 February 2008
By: Sean Augustin
Source: The New Straits Times

KUALA TERENGGANU, Thurs: While many are busy preparing for the general election, a different type of campaigning is taking place at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The university’s Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group has launched a “Say NO to Turtle and Terrapin Eggs” campaign aimed at discouraging the public from eating the eggs.

The year-long campaign is hoping to get one million Malaysians to sign a lifetime pledge not to eat turtle or terrapin eggs. Group leader Professor Chan Eng Heng said there were many domestic tourists who visited the state to buy and eat the eggs out of curiosity.

“Even some tour guides help to promote this activity, telling tourists it’s a ‘must-do’ when in Terengganu” Chan said the campaign was also directed at the older generation who had been consuming the eggs for a long time.

The group’s “Turtle Ambassadors” have already begun campaigning in public, while the Golden Key-UMT chapter is organising a turtle awareness campaign on Sunday (Feb 17). The Golden Key is an international fraternity for high achievers.

Pledges can also be made by sending an e-mail to turtle@umt.edu.my, with the words “I pledge not to eat turtle or terrapin eggs for the rest of my life”. The sender’s full name and MyKad number should be included. Online pledges can be made after Saturday (Feb 16) at http://www.umt.edu.my/turtle.

Admin: Please note that our current email is cp@turtleconservationcentre.org :)

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