For those of you do not know what WWF stands for….. it is NOT world wrestling federation but WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, the name was later change to “WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature”. Whatever the name stands for, I’m sure most of us have seen the panda logo since young.
In Malaysia, WWF are trying to get people to pledge their support to save the turtles. For most Malaysian, we are used to seeing the turtle being use as mascot to represent Malaysia in sport events etc. Other than that, what have we done to see to the conservation of these turtle? I remembered the first and last time I went to Rantau Abang to see the turtle lay their eggs. You would not believe the number of people surrounding the turtle. Imagine everyone watching while you try to give birth. sigh. That was not the worst thing. After the turtle lay her eggs, she tried to get back to the sea. Some youngest climb on the back and started taking photos. It was really disheartening. I was in my teens then and I cried at the cruelty of some fellow human. My group of friends tried to advice them not to disturbed the turtle. But it was no use. We decided to get out of there. The incident make a huge impact on me. I saw how cruel we humans are. Not only to animals but to fellow humans as well.
That incident happened about 24 years ago. I believe/ hope the authority have taken steps as not to allow such behaviour now. The Trengganu government did try some conservation methods and breeding the young. “In 1950s, there were 10,000 turtle nest in Rantau Abang.” The numbers are decreasing by the year. Now there’s only about 1o nests. The demand of turtle eggs from the public are not helping the cause. When the buying STOP!, maybe the killing will too?
“Turtles play a critical role in keeping marine ecosystems healthy; the same ecosystems which sustain our fisheries and tourism industries that provide food and livelihoods for millions of people. Marine turtles are threatened with extinction due to various factors, including: the practice of consuming turtle eggs, marine and nesting beach pollution as well as illegal trade of turtles and their parts.
Leatherback turtles have already been declared functionally extinct in Malaysia. ” On the 21st April 2009 – WWF-Malaysia today launched the “Egg=Life” campaign aimed at improving the protection of marine turtles in Malaysia.
The campaign, will run from Earth Day 22nd April to 30th September 2009, targets to gain pledges from 40,000 members of the public. People who sign up in support of WWF-Malaysia’s “Egg=Life” campaign will pledge to:
- support laws that will ban the sale and consumption of all turtle eggs throughout Malaysia
- support the call for comprehensive and holistic Federal legislation to conserve marine turtles
- never consume turtle eggs, or trade in turtles or their parts
To read here
So what are you waiting for. Just sign the pledge and you’re an instant conservation hero. You even receive a certificate like below.
green witch
