Organisation: Satucita Foundation Project title: Conservation of Painted Terrapin Population in Karang Gading Langkat Timur Laut Wildlife Reserves
Location: Karang Gading-Langkat Timur Laut Wildlife Reserves, District of Langkat, Province of North Sumatera
Project date: December 2020 – April 2021
Species: Painted Terrapin Batagur borneoensis
The challenge
Painted Terrapin was once abundant in the area. The population has declined sharply as the eggs of this species are collected and consumed by local people, as well as wildlife like wild boar and lizards. A preliminary nest patrol in February 2019 was only able to save 15 nests and found a further three nests that had been eaten by wildlife. This has shown that while a wild population remains, the numbers are very small.
The project
The project aims to save and hatch as many Painted Terrapin eggs found during the nesting season as possible. Nest patrols will walk the two main nesting beaches of the wildlife reserves two times every night. When nests are found, the patrols will take the eggs to the safety of a temporary hatchery until the eggs hatch. The hatchlings will be raised and released in the long-term.
Project reports
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Photo credit: Joko Guntoro