CHUKAI, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Some 690 terrapin hatchlings were released into their natural habitat at Sungai Kemaman near Kampung Pasir Gajah here today.
Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) co-founder and executive director Dr Chen Pelf Nyok said the terrapin eggs were incubated for three months, after which the hatchlings were temporarily cared for at the Terrapin Conservation Centre in Kampung Pasir Gajah.
She said TCS had collected more than 1,600 terrapin eggs this year, with over 1,200 successfully hatching.
Chen said the release of the terrapin hatchlings was carried out in stages, with today’s release marking the completion of this year’s programme.
“I hope the terrapins released today will reach maturity and eventually return to the river to lay eggs,” she said when met at the programme here today.
Last year, 680 terrapin hatchlings were released into the river.
Chen hoped the programme would encourage local residents to develop a greater appreciation of the wildlife in their area, while visitors could help raise awareness of terrapin conservation through social media.
“Through this programme, more people can learn about terrapins and support conservation efforts to protect this increasingly threatened species,” she said.
Chen said that besides Sungai Kemaman, the terrapins were also found in the Terengganu and Dungun rivers, where conservation efforts were carried out by the State Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
--BERNAMA