Your chance to get up close with the turtles

0
May 5, 2012
by pelf in

Some of you may have heard/read that I have recently co-founded an NGO called Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS). It is based in Kuala Terengganu, but we are carrying out our research and conservation projects in Setiu and Kemaman. And recently, we teamed up with Shark Savers Malaysia and pulled off a show for the first graders at the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL).

One of our first public outreach projects is a Turtle Discovery Trip, which will be offered in the four weekends in May. We put together this program to give the public an introduction to the different turtles in Malaysia, the research and conservation project carried out by TCS in Kemaman, as well as an opportunity to watch sea turtles nest.

This trip is priced at RM 180 per person, and TCS members as well as children/youth below 18 years old are entitled to a 20% discount.

The trip includes:

  • A visit to the Turtle Sanctuary in Cherating, where you could read some posters, check out some preserved/dry exhibits and buy some souvenirs, if you wished;
  • A visit to the River Terrapin Conservation Project, where you would be briefed about the work that TCS is carrying out with the cooperation of the local villagers; and
  • An opportunity to watch sea turtles nest.

Newly emerged river terrapin hatchlings
Newly-emerged river terrapin hatchlings. © Chen Pelf Nyok.

Not included in the trip are:

  • Your transport from KL/elsewhere to Cherating/Kemaman
  • Accommodation in Cherating/Kemaman
  • Meals while in Cherating/Kemaman

For your convenience, following are a few hotels in/around Kemaman. As there are various types of rooms available, you are advised to make your own hotel arrangements.

  • Awana Kijal Beach Spa and Golf Resort (09 – 864 1188)

  • Hotel Home2 Kemaman (09 – 858 2333)
  • 
River Garden Hotel Kemaman (09 – 859 6337)
  • 
Sri Kemaman Inn (09 – 859 1511)
  • 
Villa Homestay Kemaman (09 – 858 1919)

This post is cross-posted on the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia’s website:
Join our Turtle Discovery Trip!

Notes:

  • There are approximately 289 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in the world, of which 18 species are native to Malaysia. Two species are listed as “Critically Endangered” and on this trip, you will be able to get up close with one of them.
  • Four species of sea turtles nest in Malaysia, i.e. Leatherback turtles, Green turtles, Hawksbill turtles and Olive Ridley turtles. On this trip, you will witness the nesting process of a Green turtle.

P/S: I took my Mum, Aunt and two cousins on the Turtle Discovery Trip in July 2011, and they loved it. Check out some photo here.

Happy 6th Birthday!

6
May 1, 2012
by pelf in

I thought I should celebrate the 6th anniversary of chenpn.com by giving it a face lift, since I can’t remember the last time I did anything to the theme. It felt like years ago.

When I started blogging in 2005, and bought my own domain in 2006, I didn’t know how long I would be doing this. It could be a few years, or a few decades, I didn’t know. I still don’t, though.

In the beginning, I was enthusiastic (and perhaps very free too) that I wrote at least one post in two or three days. Then I went back to school to get my Master’s degree, and that was when I tried very hard to restrain my words. I remember going through a pretty rough patch in the university but I couldn’t blog about it, hence as time passes by, I have learned to censor myself (though I wished I hadn’t!).

And now, I am going back to school once again, hopefully for the last time, and I am suddenly motivated to continue blogging, mostly due to this bunch of Twitter friends on #phdchat who encourage and support one another throughout our ups and downs. I couldn’t ask for a more responsive support team!

I digressed.

So anyway, just wanted to let you know that I have just renewed chenpn.com for another year, which means that you’d still be seeing me around.

Do drop by and say Hi if/when you read this :D

Cheers!

A successful field season

4
April 6, 2012
by pelf in

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, I have concluded my first field season in Kemaman. And I must say that it was a very successful season, and I am thoroughly pleased with how it turned out.

First of all, there was this group of very dedicated villagers (who called themselves the Terrapin Gang) who had been very helpful. Before the terrapin nesting season started, they went to the nesting bank and erected a campsite for us to work and sleep in. They were sensitive enough to give us girls (Hannah, my volunteer, and I) half the tent, whereas the 6 of them shared the other half. Our side of the tent had some (sand) padding underneath the canvas sheet, and it never leaked during heavy thunderstorm (which we experienced quite a few times).

With the Terrapin Gang
Photo credit: Hannah Xavier

Our campsite
Photo credit: Hannah Xavier

Secondly, there was this God-sent student volunteer called Hannah. Hannah is a sweet young thing from KL who aspires to be a Marine Biologist “when she grows up.” Aww.. How cool is that right? So Hannah was there in the field with me since Day-2, and I must say that I thank the Gods and angels for sending her, because she not only kept me sane, she was a fast learner who picked up the necessary skills and knowledge as we went :D And guess who else joined me? Shayna, my senior in university, whom I never met on campus! :D

Scanning for a microchip

Thirdly, there were these amazing river terrapin nesters. You know, the adult river terrapins that came up the nesting bank to lay their eggs :D I microchipped all of them, except for those that left the nesting bank immediately whenever lightning stroke. Some of them came up once, some twice. Some of them laid their eggs in only one hole, some in two holes, and some in three holes!

Microchipping a nester
Photo credit: Hannah Xavier

There was a nester with a missing hind leg (she did not manage to lay any eggs) and there was nester with a deformed front leg.

The deformed nester

Last but not least, the eggs. THE EGGS. We managed to secure more than 1,000 river terrapin eggs during the short nesting season. We are still very upset that more than 50 eggs were stolen but I am still very pleased that we touched the 1,000-egg mark.

Burying the eggs
Photo credit: Hannah Xavier

I feel that the nesting season had ended a little too soon. Forty days. But I am thankful for all that had happened. Thank you, God, for looking after me :D

Terrapin tracks

More pictures of the project can be viewed here.

My sincere appreciation also goes to:

  • Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund for the research grant.
  • Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia for the opportunity to lead this project.
  • CIMB Foundation for sponsoring 300 pieces of ProID microchips.
  • Prof. Zubaid Akbar Mukhtar Ahmad (my main Supervisor, UKM) for sponsoring some field equipments, including a GPS, stainless steel and digital calipers.
  • John Wade (MicrochipID Systems, USA) for sponsoring a microchip scanner.
  • District and Land Office of Kemaman for gazetting three nesting banks along the Kemaman River as reserves.
  • Perhilitan for putting up the Warning signboards on the nesting banks along the Kemaman River.
  • Hannah Xavier and Shayna Sapri for volunteering their time for the project.
  • The “Terrapin Gang” — Wazir, Perik, Zul, Dollah, Din, Nasir and Rosli — for being so enthusiastic about the project, and for providing the much-appreciated laughters on a daily basis.
  • Individuals who have helped and motivated me in any way, you know who you are <3
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