CHUKAI: The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) has collected 1,673 river terrapin eggs in Sungai Kemaman near Kampung Pasir Gajah here since Feb 2.
TCS co-founder and executive director Dr Chen Pelf Nyok said the eggs had been incubated at the River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Kampung Pasir Gajah to save the species from the threat of extinction.
She said the number of eggs collected was limited as the species has a short nesting season between February and March each year.
Out of the total number of eggs incubated, 1,222 eggs had hatched as of Thursday (May 28).
"The incubated eggs take between 70 and 90 days to hatch," she said when met at the centre.
She said the hatchlings would have microchips implanted as identity markers and to record biological data before releasing them into their natural river habitat.
"The microchips will enable the centre to identify the terrapins if they are found again in the future, making it easier to collect data and assess the species’ survival rate," she said.
She added that a number of the hatchlings had already been released in stages into Sungai Kemaman near Kampung Pasir Gajah.
"The peak event for the release of hatchlings into the river has been set for Oct 3," she said.
Dr Chen added that last year, 1,134 hatchlings were released at the location with the assistance of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies.
"More than 7,000 hatchlings have been released into the river since conservation efforts for the species began in 2012,” she said.
In addition, TCS also carried out various awareness activities among students and the public to enhance understanding and support for river terrapin conservation efforts, she added. – Bernama
