The Project

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Help us by joining this 2 week Terengganu Turtle Expedition in Malaysia on the endless, untouched beaches of mainland Terengganu and ending on the idyllic island paradise of Perhentian Besar on the East Coast of Malaysia.  This expedition is a fantastic opportunity to be part of collecting vital sea turtle population nesting data, visiting 3 turtle conservation projects and getting to experience the real culture of the Malay’s. first hand.  The expedition will allow you to understand the issues regarding turtle conservation whilst getting beneath the nails of the Malay culture.

Following on from Help Our Penyu’s Walk for Turtles Campaign in 2010, this unique turtle expedition enables collection of vital nesting population data from the main nesting beaches highlighted during this event.  Get the chance to not only collect this vital nesting data but also help us to educate the local school children and assist 3 turtle conservation projects whilst doing so.  During your expedition you will walk on endless beaches which are relatively untouched by development.  The stretch being surveyed during the expedition will be from Batu Rakit (means village of rafting rock in Malaysian) to Bukit Keluang (means hill of Keluang in Malaysian).  The first turtle track survey in Terengganu was conducted in 2010 by Help Our Penyu and this area showed the most nesting activity.  The data collected will be used by WWF to assess the success of their hatchery in Kampong Mangkok and shared with relevant government departments, other conservation projects in Malaysia and the general public.

The aim of the project is

To establish an accurate turtle nesting population data set in Terengganu

The objectives of the Terengganu Turtle Expedition program are as follows:

1:   Collect vital turtle population data which will be used by all turtle conservation projects in Terengganu, especially WWF;.

2:  Support the local community helping them to protect the environment;

3:  Assist three turtle conservation projects in Terengganu;.

The Terengganu Turtle Expedition is the result of the Walk for Turtles event organised by Help Our Penyu in 2010.  The expedition will officially link conservation projects in Terengganu and result in turtle population data being made available for the general public.

What is a turtle track survey?

Turtle track surveys are the main tool used by turtle conservation globally to assess nesting populations over a large distance.  When a turtle lays eggs on the beach they leave a large track which can be seen for upto 2 weeks.  When a survey is conducted any tracks which are encountered are logged with GPS co-ordinates and various other details being recorded.  From the tracks we can tell the species of turtle and whether eggs were laid or not.  In 2010 during the Walk for Turtles 2010 over 100 nests were recorded with an estimated sea turtle nesting population of 4000.  However in 2010 the survey was only conducted once so in 2011 the survey will be conducted 4 times in May, June, July and August.

The turtle track survey methodology which is globally accepted can be found here

Video explaining the turtle nesting and survey process

Why do we need to conduct a turtle track survey?

Prior the Walk for Turtles event in 2010, turtle track surveys were not conducted in Terengganu largely due to lack of manpower and funds being available to conduct regular surveys.  The nesting population numbers were estimated prior 2010 but via eggs deposited at official hatcheries by licensed egg collectors.  The main problem with using the licensed egg collectors is that they do not always deposit eggs to the hatcheries with an estimated 50% of the eggs being sold at the local market where eggs can be legally traded for food.  Additionally the licensed egg collectors would not give specific location or false nest (when a turtle lands on the beach but doesn’t lay any eggs) data.

To find out more about the benefits of this research read our 2010 turtle walk report

Why are sea turtles nearly extinct in Malaysia?

Life as a turtle hatchling can seem to us a painful means of survival, with a lot going against them to make it to open water from the nest. But that’s nature- survival of the fittest. They do not need human impacts adding to their already challenging lives but we add greatly.  It is predicted that naturally 1 in 1,000 turtle eggs becomes a sexually mature adult however recent studies suggest that due to human impacts this ratio increases to 1 in 10,000! Some turtle populations have declined by 99% in just 50 years and are virtually locally extinct in Malaysia with under 40 nests per year for Hawksbill turtles and under 10 nests per year for Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles in Terengganu. Here are some of the reasons why:-

• Turtle eggs have been eaten by the local people for centuries, on most beaches 100% of turtle eggs have been harvested by the local people;
• Turtle babies instinctively crawl towards light on the open horizon and into the sea, artificial light from buildings disrupts this essential behaviour and baby turtles get lost on land and die or are eaten by predators;
• Urban development displace nesting beach space;
• Tourists touching, getting to close or in the turtles view of sight disturb the turtles who will abort nests and because of the experience and stressed involved will be more susceptible to disease;
• As juveniles and adults, sea turtles are threatened by incidental capture in commercial fishing nets or long-lines, by disease and marine pollution.

If you would like to find out more about the Walk for Turtles event in 2010 and turtle conservation in Malaysia please download the free ebook below

Why are sea turtles worth saving?

Sea turtles play an important ecological role and help maintain species diversity and the natural balance of fragile reef systems. For instance, the shells of loggerhead turtles provide habitats for dozens of species including the Columbus crab. The Hawksbill turtle feed on sponges and prevent them from out-competing slow growing marine corals. Green turtles graze on sea grass to maintain the health of the seagrass bed. But the most important reason is that sea turtles have been around since before the time of the dinosaurs. One of the few species that remain since the dawn of human evolution is now threatened to extinction by humans. More emotionally, once you have sat near a turtle mother laying her eggs and followed turtle babies dashing for the sea in the race for life, you experience how fragile life is for these highly endangered animals.

Unless we work together creatively to reverse this situation the turtles are doomed. You can help change this as part of our team, on the Turtle Expedition Terengganu.

How you can make a difference

By joining the expedition you will not only collect correct nesting population data but assist the local communities and conservation projects to help enhance future turtle nesting numbers.  The inclusion of the turtle conservation projects and the local community in the expedition is unique and will increase communication between them ultimately leading to more efficient and united turtle conservation in the State.

WE RECOMMEND YOU EXTEND YOUR TRIP BY 1 WEEK FOR JUST GBP100.  FOR THE EXTENSION WEEK YOU WILL LIVE IN PERHENTIAN VILLAGE, HOST A SECOND TNT CLUB, EDUCATE TOURISTS VISITING PERHENTIAN AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST PROTECT THE MOST IMPORTANT TURTLE NESTING BEACH IN THE PERHENTIANS – PINANG SERIBU WHERE A SUNRISE SNORKEL IS NOT TO BE MISSED.