2022 was a record-breaking season where we were able to save a whopping 377 endangered green sea turtle and critically endangered painted terrapin nests with a grand total of 25,019 eggs incubated.
In 2023 we hope to continue to save as many nests as we can, with the aim of surpassing the figure we have achieved in the past. To achieve this goal and keep growing, we need help. Only through the generosity and support of nest adopters can we have the means to intervene and purchase eggs, which we then incubate in our hatchery. These eggs would otherwise be sold to the market as food and never be given a chance at life.
Sea turtle populations are crashing world-wide and one of the main pressures on Malaysian populations is the consumption of their eggs. Our conservation work is helping to boost the numbers of endangered green sea turtles and critically endangered painted terrapins in Terengganu, Malaysia by making sure as many hatchlings go out to sea as possible. Our nest adoption programme also provides an income for local, licensed turtle egg collectors.
We will send you updates on the development of your nest and let you know exactly when we expect your hatchlings to emerge and head off into the ocean. 100% of your pledge is used to purchase eggs from the license holders – LTTW takes no administration, management or any other type of fee from this programme.
So, please sign up to adopt a nest with us and spread the word to your friends and family – each nest adopted allows up to 150 endangered turtle hatchlings to go out to sea, rather than ending up in the marketplace. With your support, we can help stem the decline of these majestic creatures in Malaysia for the benefit of future generations and the natural world.
Endangered green turtles and critically endangered hawksbill turtles inhabit Terengganu where our project sites are located. To better understand their population status and trends, we identify every individual nesting and in-water turtle that we have encountered using tagging and photo-identification methods. To date, there are a total of 168 green turtles and 18 hawksbill turtles in our sea turtle database. To reach adulthood, they must survive against all odds as it is estimated that approximately 1 in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood. Sea turtles display site fidelity, often returning to the same nesting and foraging areas. Ongoing monitoring of nesting beaches and foraging sites enables us to understand more about their populations and increase protection in these areas.
By adopting a turtle, you are supporting our work focusing on conservation, research and outreach at two of our project sites in Lang Tengah Island and at Tanjong Jara Resort, Terengganu, Malaysia. Your adoption is used to fund our operations including essential supplies and equipment for beach patrols and in-water surveys. You will receive updates of your adopted turtle to let you know when and how often we have encountered it nesting and/or feeding in the area. You will also receive an annual report of the Lang Tengah Project or Tanjong Jara Resort, depending on where your adopted turtle was sighted.
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, also often known as the “rainforests of the sea”. They serve as an important habitat for much marine life, including sea turtles, providing them shelter and food. Coral reef ecosystems are vulnerable to threats such as diseases, predation, pollution, sedimentation, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change. Such threats could lead to coral breakage, bleaching and possible death.
Corals are able to recover if the environmental conditions improve before they die. To mitigate the decline of coral reefs and to restore damaged areas, we collect corals of opportunity, grow them in a nursery, and then transplant them to damaged areas. Corals of opportunity are fragments of coral that have naturally been dislodged from the parent colony or substrate. In 2021, 356 coral fragments of five coral species, which are Acropora muricata, Porites cylindrica, Hydnophora rigida, Acropora florida and Acropora longicyathus, were grown in our coral nurseries. We transplanted 24 coral fragments of Acropora muricata and, Porites cylindrica grown in our nursery since early 2020 to natural reefs.
Restoring coral reefs is an ongoing effort, and we need your help with this! With your support, more corals that have been previously destroyed can be saved by growing them in a nursery before transplanting them back to the natural reefs. You will receive information of the coral you have adopted including the coral species and size. We will send you updates on the growth and condition of the coral you have adopted in the nursery and its GPS location after it is outplanted to the natural reefs. Six months after transplanting, you will receive a personalised coral e-card with a photo of your adopted coral in the natural reefs. By adopting a coral, you can now take part in the restoration of the coral reefs in Lang Tengah Island.
Exciting news ahead! We are thrilled to announce that Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is migrating to Persatuan Pemuliharaan dan Kajian Marin Malaysia (Marine Conservation and Research Organisation Malaysia), also known as PULIHARA.
At PULIHARA, we are committed to continue with the conservation efforts that were previously carried out under LTTW with the same dedication, commitment and focus.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and assure you that we are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth migration process.
We invite you to join us on this journey of transformation! Please visit our new website at puliharamalaysia.org to learn more about our mission and how you can get involved.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our cause. Together, let's create a meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Warm regards,
The PULIHARA team