Island Youths Pave Way Forward for Turtle Conservation

©WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme

Community engagement and education is a function that supports conservation programmes, which aims to work closely with indigenous and local communities to deliver more effective and inclusive conservation outcomes.

Outreach and awareness activities are key to encouraging positive attitudes and behaviours among communities. One example is the first ever island-based Marine Turtle Festival within Tun Mustapha Park, organised by Tigabu Youth Club (Kelab Belia Tigabu - KBT) and WWF-Malaysia on 19 to 20 September 2017 on Tigabu Island.

Around 60 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Tigabu were engaged in an informative sharing session on turtles and the importance of turtle conservation, followed by a marine-themed colouring and drawing contest. In the afternoon, the villagers and children tried their hand at making turtle replicas out of flour, water and paint. 

©WWF-Malaysia/Lee Sheu Jeen
©WWF-Malaysia/Marine Programme

In a stroke of luck, a batch of turtle eggs that had been incubated in the newly-built turtle hatchery hatched, allowing the children the chance to catch a glimpse of the hatchlings, and even participate in releasing them at night.

The next day, the Tigabu Turtle Hatchery was officially launched, strengthening efforts on turtle conservation by providing a secure and controlled environment for turtle eggs to incubate and hatch. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the KBT members, more than 1,000 turtle hatchlings from the Tigabu-Tambulian-Kukuban Island Complex have been released in the last nesting season.

It is hoped that this festival and turtle conservation activities will spark a sense of awareness and ownership among the villagers, a deeper appreciation of turtles and understanding of the importance of protecting them.

©WWF-Malaysia/Lee Sheu Jeen

Story by Ms Lee Sheu Jeen, Manager, Community Engagement and Education. For further details on Community Engagement and Education projects, feel free to send your enquiry to SJLee@wwf.org.my

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