Turtle population in Sorong drops<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Papua: The population of a rare turtle species in
\nthe Jamursba Medi coastal area in Sorong, Papua, has dropped to
\nless than 500, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) finding has
\nrevealed.<\/p>\n
Creusa Hitipuew, a WWF researcher in Sahul district, Papua,
\nsaid in Jayapura on Monday that the number of turtles laying eggs
\non Medi beach had dropped to a little over 430 in 2002 from 3,306
\nin 1984.<\/p>\n
"More than 200 turtles of the belimbing (star fruit) species
\ncould be found at the Jamursba Medi coast every night in 1984,
\nbut the number dropped to about 30 between 1990 and 1995," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said predators like boars, coastal abrasion and the theft
\nof turtle eggs by men were the main threats to the continued
\nexistence of this species in the area, which could be minimized
\nby coastal patrols and a public awareness campaign.<\/p>\n
"Over the last 10 years WWF and the National Resources
\nConservation Agency of Sorong have conserved the threatened
\ncoastal habitat, and now over 1,000 turtles land every night,
\nincluding the scaled and green species," Creusa added. --JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/turtle-population-in-sorong-drops-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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