Turtles under threat in W. Sumatra, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Syofiardi Bachyul and Slamet Susanto, Padang\/Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
The theft of eggs of three protected turtle species in West
\nSumatra is threatening the very existence of the turtles,
\nresearcher Harfiandri Damanhuri has warned.<\/p>\n
Harfiandri estimated that some 22,000 turtle eggs are traded
\nat Muara Padang Beach, South Pesisir regency in the province
\nevery 10 weeks, with more being sold overseas to Singapore and
\nMalaysia. Most of the eggs are taken from Penyu (Turtle) island,
\nalso in South Pesisir.<\/p>\n
Harfiandri, a turtle researcher from Bung Hatta University in
\nPadang, the capital of West Sumatra, disclosed that he recently
\nsaw turtle eggs being sold in at least 16 kiosks in the Muara
\nPadang tourist destination.<\/p>\n
Each egg was being sold for Rp 2,000 (US 21 cents) to Rp
\n3,000, far higher than the usual retail price of Rp 600 to Rp
\n800.<\/p>\n
Turtle eggs have become popular as people believe they promote
\nlongevity.<\/p>\n
Data obtained by Harfiandri shows that at least 40 turtles
\nswam ashore on Turtle island each night in 1995, but this year
\nonly seven per night come ashore.<\/p>\n
\"I predict that in 10 years time, only one turtle will swim
\nashore,\" Harfiandri said.<\/p>\n
Turtles swimming ashore on Turtle island are the green sea
\nturtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys
\nimbricata). The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has not
\nbeen spotted on Turtle island since 2001.<\/p>\n
Despite a government decree declaring the island a turtle
\nconservation area, local residents defiantly continue to poach
\nturtle eggs.<\/p>\n
\"They have been doing it for years, plus they consider the
\nisland their ancestral land, so it's difficult to put an end to
\nthe practice,\" said Harfiandri.<\/p>\n
Harfiandri claimed that egg poaching was not restricted to
\nTurtle island but also occurred on other islands in the province,
\nincluding in the territory of Pasaman, Agam, Padang Pariaman,
\nSouth Pesisir and Mentawai islands regencies.<\/p>\n
On Mentawai islands, locals steal not only the eggs but also
\nthe turtles, which they eat.<\/p>\n
\"The government must find ways to prevent the turtle from
\nbecoming extinct. If not, the turtle will become something we can
\nonly read about,\" he said.<\/p>\n
While it is unclear what the West Sumatra government intends
\nto do to save the turtles, fishermen in Bantul regency,
\nYogyakarta province, have established the Bantul Turtle
\nConservation Forum (FKPB) to save the turtle in the area.<\/p>\n
Saving the turtle in the area is being taken seriously,
\nespecially since numbers have dwindled over the years. At Samas
\nbeach, for example, only several turtles come ashore each night.<\/p>\n
Rudjito, chairman of the FKPB, said that the forum had built a
\nthree-tank hatchery on Samas Beach. Fishermen also occasionally
\nhold ceremonies to release newly hatched turtles into the sea.<\/p>\n
\"We often ask Samas visitors and tourists to release the
\ninfant turtles with us during the ceremonies to promote people's
\nawareness about the turtle,\" said Rudjito.<\/p>\n
The ceremonies also make people realize that the beach is not
\nmerely a place for prostitution or drunkenness, he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/turtles-under-threat-in-w-sumatra-yogyakarta-1447893297",
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