Development ‘pushing river terrapins to the brink’

A small head peeks out, beady and accusatory eyes staring down its snout at the interlopers

A small head peeks out, beady and accusatory eyes staring down its snout at the interlopers. It doesn’t retract into its shell or flail about. Instead, the baby terrapin lies flat in the palm of the person holding it, barely moving.

“It’s kind of cute,” remarks Meor Razak Meor Abd Rahman, a field officer for the non-profit Sahabat Alam Malaysia. Moments later, the southern river terrapin, colloquially named “tuntung sungai” (batagur affinis), flips out of his hand and splashes into the teen terrapin pool.

The little creature’s attempt at freedom elicits laughter from visitors at the River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan, Perak. The guide assures them that the intrepid young terrapin is safe as it explores the pool, which houses slightly older terrapins.

River terrapins are not fond of humans or loud noises

River terrapins are not fond of humans or loud noises. In the adults’ pool, located in a roofed shed within the centre’s 6.3ha compound, full-grown ones huddle in a corner, trying to escape the visitors. Measuring about 30cm from head to tail and dark grey in colour, they practically climb over one another to avoid human contact.

Their shy nature, combined with the destruction of their habitat and nesting sites on riverbanks via human and economic activities like sand mining, has resulted in the near extinction of species in the wild. These freshwater terrapins are now listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

No sand, no terrapins

“No sand, no terrapins,” Meor Razak said. “Sand mining has wiped out the sandbars and banks along the Perak River. That’s what concerns us. Where will the terrapins land to lay their eggs?”

River terrapins are already extinct in the wild in Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore – and experts caution that Perak may soon follow if more efforts are not made to protect them.

Terrapins vs the economy

With river sand mining, a backhoe is placed at the water’s edge to scoop sand from the river, often in areas meant to act as buffer zones. These, unfortunately, are also where river terrapins nest.

The mounds of sand created on the riverbanks and the loss of vegetation discourage terrapins, while mining activities increase water turbidity and remove vital organisms from the riverbed, harming the overall health of the ecosystem.

Conservation efforts

Around 100 river terrapins of various ages and sizes are housed at the conservation centre, either being bred or raised as hatchlings to be released into the wild after a few years. The centre has a fenced-off sandbank by the river, where the terrapins are released.

Conservationists hope that once they are mature – over a decade after their release – the terrapins will return to this site to nest.

Terrapins vs the economy

While the centre helps preserve the species, experts argue that such facilities should be a last resort. Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia president Maketab Mohamed likened the centre to “a zoo”, warning that river terrapins could become locally extinct if nothing is done to protect them in the wild.

Conclusion

The fate of the river terrapin hangs in the balance as development and sand mining continue to push the species to the brink of extinction. It is imperative that conservation efforts are stepped up and that the current laws and regulations are enforced to protect the river terrapin and its habitat.

FAQs

Q: What is the current status of the river terrapin population?
A: The river terrapin is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Q: What is the main threat to the river terrapin population?
A: The main threat to the river terrapin population is the destruction of its habitat and nesting sites on riverbanks due to human and economic activities like sand mining.

Q: What is being done to conserve the river terrapin?
A: Conservation efforts include the establishment of a conservation centre, breeding and releasing terrapins into the wild, and enforcing existing laws and regulations to protect the species and its habitat.

Q: What can be done to protect the river terrapin?
A: To protect the river terrapin, it is essential to enforce existing laws and regulations, establish protected areas, and reduce human impact on the river terrapin’s habitat.