Malaysia turtle nesting sites at risk - scientists
Date: 24-Aug-04
Country: MALAYSIA
Author: Liau Y-Sing
Fewer than 10 nests remained in Malaysia's northeast state of Terengganu where a few decades ago there had been 10,000, the scientists said after a two-day international conference on how to save the animals.
"Many populations are in danger of extinction and could be gone in a few years if there is no urgent and effective action," the scientists said in a statement.
Along with the risk to the huge leatherbacks, which grow to 2.7 metres (9 ft) long and up to 900 kg, populations of other breeds such as the green, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles were also vulnerable, they said.
"Globally, the sea turtles are in serious trouble, particularly the leatherbacks and loggerheads," said Theodore Groves, who teaches environmental economics at the University of California at San Diego.
The scientists, meeting near one of Malaysia's few protected turtle nesting sites, released 400 baby turtles, no bigger than the palm of an adult human hand, into the sea.
But those who gathered to witness the release also had an impact on the turtles. An adult turtle making its way to the shore turned back in the face of lights and noise.
Malaysia only protects the eggs of the leatherback turtles so harvesting continues, said Dion Ysius Sharma, the national programme director for WWF Malaysia. Turtles that make it to sea may be harvested in other countries where the meat is a delicacy.
The scientists welcomed a decision by Terengganu authorities to turn 148 acres of coastline into a sanctuary for nesting turtles but said much more was needed - including five more sanctuaries and a new source of income for people who harvest turtle eggs.
Turtles take 10 to 30 years to reach maturity and return to where they were born to breed, so a beach was unlikely to be re-colonised if the turtles there disappeared, the scientists said.
