CHUKAI, May 29 — The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) has successfully collected 1,673 river terrapin eggs in Sungai Kemaman near Kampung Pasir Gajah here since February 2.

TCS co-founder and executive director Dr Chen Pelf Nyok said all the eggs had been incubated at the River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Kampung Pasir Gajah to save the species from the threat of extinction.

He said the number of eggs collected was limited as the species has a short nesting season between February and March each year.

Out of the total number of eggs incubated, 1,222 eggs had hatched as of today.

“The incubated eggs take between 70 and 90 days to hatch,” he told Bernama at the River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Kampung Pasir Gajah here today.

He said the hatchlings would be implanted with microchips as identity markers and for biological data recording purposes before being released back into their natural river habitat.

“The microchips are installed to enable the terrapin conservation centre to identify the terrapins if they are found again in the future, making it easier to collect data and assess the species’ survival rate,” he said.

He added that a number of the hatchlings had already been released in stages into Sungai Kemaman near Kampung Pasir Gajah.

“The peak event for the release of hatchlings into the river has been set for October 3, and the date will be observed annually,” he said.

He said that last year, 1,134 hatchlings were released at the location together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies interested in supporting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

“More than 7,000 hatchlings have been released into the river since conservation efforts for the species began in 2012,” he said.

In addition, he said TCS also carried out various awareness activities among students and the public to enhance understanding and support for river terrapin conservation efforts. — Bernama