(MY) track leatherback turtles

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RM5m to track leatherback turtles by satellite-Malaysiakini

Jul 13, 06 4:05am

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A Malaysian state is to conduct a million-dollar satellite study of turtle

migration, focusing on the leatherback which is close to extinction, a

report said today.

 

The coastal state of Terengganu, famed for exotic islands and beaches, has

allocated RM5.0 million (US$1.35 million) for the exercise, the

*Star*newspaper said.

 

Mohamad Jidin Shafee, Terengganu state executive councillor, said the study

would cover several turtle species, particularly leatherback sea turtles

which are on the verge of extinction.

 

" The (transmitter installation) exercise (to study turtle migration) is

expected to be held this September, " he told the *Star.*

 

Terengganu conducted a similar study last year, attaching transmitters on

four turtles to study their movements after laying eggs.

 

The study showed that the turtles migrated to Vietnam, the Philippines and

Indonesia after laying eggs in Terengganu, Mohamad said.

 

In the new study, officials will install transmitters on turtles at the same

place chosen last year, Kemaman, to see where the turtles go this year,

Mohamad added.

 

*Dramatic decline*

 

Conservationists have warned of a dramatic decline in turtle landings in

Terengganu, from some 10,000 recorded every year in the 1960s.

 

Last year only one leatherback turtle - the most endangered of Malaysia's

turtles - was sighted.

 

And for the first time in history, neither of the other important species -

Olive Ridley and hawksbill turtles - landed at the traditional nesting

sites.

 

The alarming development raised fears that the turtles may be lost forever

from the beaches, which are a big draw for tourists who come to watch the

egg-laying as well as the emergence of hatchlings.

 

Turtles are hunted for their meat and shell, and are also killed by getting

entangled in fishing nets in the open seas.

 

The tourism industry boom has contributed to the decline, with hotels and

bright lights near the beachfront caused turtles to shy away.