Chagar Hutang is a beautiful place. — MIZAN KAMALINA JUMMAT
“Have you ever regretted deciding to volunteer in Redang Island rather than go on a ‘regular’ holiday?” Beneath the glow of a sunset on the rooftop of a building in the city, I was asked this question.
Looking back at the seven exciting days I spent volunteering my time at the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary in Terengganu, I replied, “No, not even for a second. I believe I would have actually regretted not doing it.”
Combining volunteer work with my holiday gave me the opportunity to experience so many new things. There were 12 of us volunteers back then, and each day we all had to complete our tasks along the 400m-long beach.
Sea turtles are essential to the marine ecosystem. Their presence influences the lives of many other species and their absence would damage the ecological equilibrium. They regulate the population of other species, preserve the health of their habitats, and contribute to the nutrient cycle, which then supports the stability of the ocean.
Each day began with the painstaking work of measuring and labelling both in-situ and relocated nests, then covering them with a mesh to ward off predators like ants, monitor lizards and crabs. This task felt more like a “sacred” duty than work as it is meant to safeguard the nests.
Hatchlings
Next is nest inspection, where we focused on those nearing the 45-day hatching mark. This involved checking the eggs and hatchlings, and subsequently removing any that were unfertilised or have been damaged, to prevent them from infecting other healthy ones.
Once the eggs are hatched and the hatchlings have been released into sea, the used nests need to be cleared of all shells.
With only one in a thousand hatchlings surviving into adulthood, the significance of this conservation work was profoundly felt.
Our work does not stop once the sun set. Turtles typically come to shore late at night to lay their eggs. We patrolled the beach every hour, looking for turtle trails in the sand.
The glow from our red-light torches cut through the darkness as we documented the turtles’ every move. I remember seeing one of these incredible creatures in action for the first time. She was nearly 1.8m wide, but moved stealthily along the sand before creating her nest and depositing her many, many eggs for hours.
Observing a turtle laying her eggs reminded me of life’s beauty and fragility. Every turtle’s journey ashore is perilous and efforts to keep them alive and safe are crucial to ensuring the species’ survival.
June and July are the peak months for turtle nesting, and since we were there in July, we managed to see a pretty high number of turtle landings each night.
The writer with one of the turtle hatchlings. — MIZAN KAMALINA JUMMAT
Besides watching a mother turtle laying her eggs, watching hatchlings break out of their egg shells and then subsequently paddling furiously on the sand to reach the water was nothing short of magical.
During breaks, I hiked to Turtle Rock to catch a breathtaking view of both the ocean and the jungle. I also snorkelled, and saw schools of fish swimming through colourful coral reefs.
We could go kayaking, too, and to the ... prawn spa, an unexpected “treat” on the island. This is similar to a fish spa, but with prawns. It was a little odd, yet relaxing at the same time.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the sanctuary, there are a few things you need to consider. Living conditions are very basic so don’t expect to sleep on one of those expensive mattresses covered in a 500 thread-count bedsheet. In fact, bring along a sleeping bag if you can just for some added comfort. Don’t forget your sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy shoes and reusable water bottle.
Meals are prepared by the volunteers, so if you “can’t cook”, then get ready to cut some onions and vegetables, or do the dishes instead. With rations arriving only once a week, resourcefulness and creativity in meal preparation are much needed.
The sanctuary relies on solar panels and generators for electricity, and Internet connectivity is patchy at best – sometimes even non-existent.
But comfort was not why I chose to enter this programme anyway, rather, to embrace the “luxury” of contributing to something meaningful.
The real treasure of voluntouring lies in the connections forged. Working alongside passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds was inspiring. United by a shared purpose, the collective human spirit helped to overcome challenges and celebrate victories as one.
The island was indeed a living classroom, teaching us about resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of community.
While on her break, the writer hiked to Turtle Rock to check out the views.
