Turtle Can Fly Is Done

Pulau Redang, 10 July 2008 -
Aquaria KLCC is not just another aquarium in the city, they are also doing their part in conserving and rehabilitating number of terrapins and turtles in Malaysia. After receiving 2 batches of one- month old hatchlings, Aquaria KLCC are now flying the matured turtles back to their natural habitat after 2 years of rehabilitation in Aquaria KLCC. Twelve turtles from the Green Turtle species (Chelonia mydas) were carefully packaged and transported from Aquaria KLCC to Subang Airport. These turtles are flown out exclusively by Berjaya Air to Pulau Redang. Upon arrival, the turtles were sent straight to the 330m- long Turtle Bay in Chagar Hutang situated on the northern tip of Pulau Redang for tagging and identification markings before their release.

At about 10.30am today, we mark the release of these healthy and excited turtles to a chance of independence and survival. It’ll be their first time in the open sea with real sea water and the great sunlight. These turtles can be visually identified by the metal tag on their front flippers to easily monitor their progress over the years. Their carapace was also painted in alphabetical order in bright red for easier sightings. ‘Wanted’ posters are being circulated to all dive centers around Redang Island to help report sightings of the released turtles.
‘Turtles Can Fly’ is a marine turtle conservation project developed and conducted by Aquaria KLCC together with University Malaysia Terengganu, the BodyShop and Media Prima as the official media partner. The event was fully supported and sponsored by Berjaya Air.
The green turtle is a large sea turtle that extends its population throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, namely the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are green because of their fat underneath their shell. These endangered species is protected from exploitation in most countries worldwide. It is illegal to collect, harm or kill individual turtles.

Turtle Can Fly

Aquaria KLCC will ‘head start’ a number of terrapins and turtles from one- month old hatchlings for two years before releasing them back into their natural habitat. For this programme, 12 green turtle will be release back to nature in Chagar Hutang Beach, Pulau Redang, Terengganu on 10 July 2008.

20 Feb 2008 -Bota Kanan, Perak

20 Feb 2008
Pusat Konservasi PERHILITAN Bota Kanan, Perak

Bagi projek kali ini, sebanyak 102 tuntung telah di masukkan microchip. Daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 95 adalah tuntung dewasa (10 hingga 15 tahun) dan bakinya 7 ekor adalah daripada tuntung anak yang berumur 3 hingga 4 tahun.

Sebanyak 50 ekor tuntung anak (3 hingga 4 thn ) daripada 141 ekor yang telah dichipkan telah dilepaskan ke Sg. Perak. Tuntung ini adalah tuntung yang telah dicipkan pada 10 Oktober 2007.

Dua orang pelajar (UNISEL), Logos dan Rajah, mengambil bahagian dalam aktiviti kali ini. Mereka merupakan pelajar yang menjalankan kerja praktikal di pusat ini selama 3 bulan.

Perjumpaan dengan abg chak banyak memberi inpt yang menarik mengenai tuntung. Abg chak merupakan penyelidik yang berkhidmat dengan Jabatan PERHILITAN, yang mana dia menjalankan kajian mengenai kadar kematian (mortility ) dan kesuburan tuntung yang ada di Bota Kanan, Perak dan Bukit Pinang, Kedah.

Daripada jumlah keseluruhan tuntung yang ada di sini, banyak daripada telur yang dieram tidak berjaya ditetaskan (fertelize) disebabkan beberapa faktor. Antaranya, cara pengendalian telur itu sendiri semasa ini dipindahkan daripada sarang asal ke tapak eraman, faktor genetik, suhu, kesesuaian pasir dan gangguan persekitaran.

Turtle Microchipping - Part 5

Tagging Procedure

1. Tagging should only be resumed after completion of Pre-Tagging Procedure

2. Scan and record new tag before tagging to verify that is functional.

3.Wipe area where the tag is to be inserted with antiseptic soaked cotton gauze to prevent any bacterial contamination.

4.The tag in Figure 10(a) is in the front flipper ,(figure 1) using the triceps muscle complex on the front and top of the humerus. by inserting the syringe under the skin between parallel to the numerus bone and pushing the plunger to move the tag out of the applicator and into the connective tissue

5. After successful insertion the surgeon should, if possible, apply temporary digital pressure to the insertion area, as this will limit any associated haemorrhage

6. Watch for bleeding after injection. If blood flows from the wound, apply pressure with swab soaked in a broad-based topical microbicide, such as a povidine-iodine antiseptic solution (e.g. Betadine®), until the flow stops.

7.Clean area where tag is inserted with antiseptic soaked cotton gauze

8.Scan the microchip inside the tagged turtle

9.Record the data on scanner

10.Let the turtle rest

11.Turtle should be under close observation for signs of stress or injury of tagging

Turtle Microchipping - Part 4

Tagging Location

1. Hard-shelled turtles- In hard-shelled turtles a PIT tag is typically
placed in front flipper using the triceps muscle complex on the front
and top of the humerus. by inserting the syringe under the skin
between parallel to the humerus bone.

2.The injection angle is under the skin, i.e. not deep into the flipper
or toward bones