pelf

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).

Photo credit: Hannah Xavier

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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