Thursday 31 December 2009

Penyu Belimbing/ Leatherback Turtle

My brother once saw it in Rantau Abang, Terengganu in 1990. We were on a school trip to the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

He was among the fortunate ones to be in Group A and B, who stayed near the nesting beach, while I, in Group C, had to leave the beach earlier because our lodging is further (nearer to town).

At that time, I didn’t think that I had missed the last chance to see a leatherback. It was always in my mind that there will be another chance. Hey, it’s a large population in Rantau Abang, it won’t disappear that fast. EXTINCTION was never the word that crossed my mind. Not this magnificent reptile.

But yes, it does disappear. Their population declined by 99.9% (compare to population in 1950). Turtle Conservation Centre, Malaysia http://www.turtleconservationcentre.org/malaysian-turtles/leatherback-turtle/

It is very, very sad to read this article, by Prof. Chan.
http://www.turtleconservationcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/MilleniumMarker2000.pdf

It’s too late to save the Leatherbacks now, but we still have the Greens and Hawksbills. Are we doing something to help them?

Penyu belimbing takde, nah, nie dia, penyu tembikai :P

1 comment:

CH Voon said...

oh nope... i havent see yet... my daughter hasn't see yet too..

who is the bad guy ....mmmm