Short trip to Port Dickson over the July 2014 weekend with family yielded pleasant surprise at the Turtle Hatchery. Hawksbill baby turtles above, swimming freely in the aquarium tanks.
Turtle Hut at Glory Beach Resort which hosted the hatchery.
Threats to the turtles including the illegal and unlicensed harvesting of turtle eggs were posted on the wall of the Turtle Hatchery. Saw a few polysterene boxes filled with sand containing some broken shells - of baby turtles that have hatched.
Mature-looking Hawksbill turtle coming up for air in the other pool at Glory Beach Resort. Total of three Hawksbill turtles swimming about in this children-size pool. Looked healthy with pinkish neck, beautiful brown carapace shell, beady eyes and relatively large flippers:-
The signboard just outside the pool where the three Hawksbill turtles are, highlighting the turtle species which are found in Malaysia (although am not so sure whether the Leatherback Turtles can be found in Malaysia anymore):-
Good to know that Fisheries Department of Malaysia has initiated the turtle egg buying program where locals who find these turtle eggs and turn them over to the Department gets paid for each turtle egg that is rescued from poachers. Read a few articles about this at the lobby of the Glory Beach Resort.
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There is a Turtle Conservation Society in Malaysia established in 2011 which has lots more information and activities related to the conservation of turtle and terrapin species. This include Hawksbill turtles as well. Website at http://www.turtleconservationsociety.org.my/about/
ReplyDeleteMust visit Turtle Management Centre in Pengkalan Balak, Malacca at http://amazingmelaka.com/2011/12/padang-kemunting-turtle-management-centre/
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