0
You have 0 items in your cart
Go To Shopping
FAQ|What We Do|Get Involved|Contact Us

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Phone*
Contact Address
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
0
You have 0 items in your cart
Go To Shopping
Donate

Species Conservation

Because every species has its unique and irreplaceable roles within an ecosystem

Every species is part of a complex network of interactions, and the loss of one species can have far-reaching consequences throughout the ecosystem. The extinction of a species can trigger a cascade of negative effects, impacting other species and ecosystem dynamics. By protecting species, we help maintain the intricate balance of nature.

OUR APPROACH

Through the years, conservation involves a very tough and complex works. We learned that to save the species and its ecosystem, problems should be addressed and resolved holistically and comprehensively in order to achieve more effective outcomes. Therefore, we believe the One Plan Approach is the best approach for our species conservation program because it recognizes that species and ecosystem are interconnected, and addressing their conservation needs collectively can lead to better conservation outcomes.

OUR INITIATIVE

Initially, our rescue facility held a 19 Malayan Giant Turtle that were confiscated from illegal pet trade in 2003. It was only started in 2018 when we did the disposal assessment of whole animal resident and found out the actual number of MGT individuals are 40, meaning some individuals were detected able to breed!

The Malayan Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis) distributed along Peninsular Malaysia and its population has depleted so much of its range – recently stated as Critically Endangered by IUCN – and at least 80% of population has declined over the last 90 years! Poaching and habitat loss are the biggest threat for this species.

We thought that restoring the population of Malayan Giant Turtle is very important, especially to help protect the freshwater ecosystem.

 

Considering our expertise in ex-situ field, also in-line with the conservation action priority for this species, we believe establishing an assurance colony through conservation breeding is recognized as a first, crucial conservation step in restoring the MGT populations in the wild.

In our ongoing initiative to conserve the Malayan Giant Turtle, we have compiled a comprehensive collection of scientific references to inform and enhance our conservation efforts for this species. A thorough search and observation have been applied to collate articles and research findings, ensuring a robust foundation for our conservation program.

Nevertheless, some references may have escaped our attention, and we apologize in advance. However, we are open to receiving feedback and/or input if any of you discover articles or relevant sources about this species or have further questions. Please reach out to us at [email protected], so that we can update this list of references.

Scientific References Orlitia borneensis
Gallery
Saving Malayan Giant Turtle from the Brink of Extinction, Phase I: establishing a healthy and genetically viable assurance colony

Our turtle conservation program launched in 2021 has yielded significant results, with several groups of Malayan giant turtles exhibiting signs of productivity and breeding. This discovery raises hopes for an increase in the population of this endangered species in the coming years. To ensure the success of the program, we collaborated with Gembiraloka Zoo, Konklusi Foundation, and the Indonesia Herpetofauna Foundation under the supervision of BKSDA Yogyakarta. Funding support was received from the IUCN ASAP. In 2022, the population of Malayan giant turtles was transferred to Gembiraloka Zoo.

Finally, in November 2023, eight eggs hatched, marking a significant milestone for our conservation efforts. The program aims to establish a sustainable population of the endangered Malayan Giant Turtle, and the success of the hatching raises hopes for increased populations of this species in the wild. In the future, we would like to build a home for this population on the new site while continuing to develop the program in the next phase.

Phase II: Initiation of species conservation action collaboration in Belitung Island, Sumatra, Indonesia

By 2023, in partnership with GLZoo, Konklusi, and Indonesia Herpetofauna Foundation, WRC Jogja successfully formed this captive colony, marking a significant milestone. On February 2024, WRC Jogja began the next phase of conserving the endangered Malayan Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis) and planning the reintroduction of suitable MGT individuals back into the wild to help restore their natural population. In line with this goal, WRC Jogja has connected with the Tebat Rasau community in Lintang Village, East Belitung District. This community is crucial in protecting the Lenggang River ecosystem, a key habitat for MGT on Belitung Island, Sumatra. They have also actively rescued MGTs from fishing nets and hooks.

We are conducting an initial assessment to identify threats in the area and understand the community’s socio-economic aspects and organizational dynamics. We are also exploring the involvement of local agencies like environmental and tourism departments and forest management units. Their support is vital for the long-term survival of MGT. We cannot undertake this project alone, so we extend an invitation to the Satucita Foundation, Tebat Rasau Community, Indonesia Herpetofauna Foundation, and Genbinesia to join us in collaboration. The Satucita Foundation, an expert in freshwater turtle conservation in Sumatra, is also a key partner. Their technical advice on monitoring and surveying turtle populations will be applied to MGT conservation. This collaboration aims to enhance the holistic conservation of MGT with key benefits:

  1. Engaging the local community fosters responsibility and support for MGT habitat conservation, crucial for their long-term survival;
  2. We will boost the community’s wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts and advocate for the species through education, research, and media;
  3. This collaboration identifies suitable habitats for reintroducing the ex-situ managed MGT colony, essential for restoring their wild population.

We extend our gratitude to the IUCN ASAP for their ongoing support and funding of this sustainable project, and our partners for their commitment to saving the Malayan Giant Turtle from extinction. Check for the updates below and stay tuned!

PROGRAM UPDATE

Phase III: Genetic Mapping for Conservation: Advancing Our Work with the Malayan Giant Turtle

Continuing the development of our species conservation efforts, we are excited to introduce a new initiative focused on the genetic aspect of the Malayan Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis) for 2025 onwards.

This initiative serves as a vital bridge between ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts. By focusing on genetic mapping and profiling, the project aims to build a strong foundation for an assurance colony that is genetically diverse and representative of wild populations. This initiative will help ensure that our conservation strategies are not only impactful but also scientifically grounded.

This project targets two key intermediate outcomes:

📍 Mapping wild MGT population localities and haplotypes, including the identification of any Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) that may require tailored conservation strategies.

🧬 Profiling the haplotypes of Malayan giant turtles’ under our co-management care, with reference to their known origin, to better inform breeding programs and potential release plans.

🛡️ Why It Matters

Incorporating genetic data into conservation decision-making significantly enhances the long-term survival prospects of species like the Malayan Giant Turtle. By ensuring that assurance colonies maintain robust genetic diversity and reflect wild population structures, we can maximize the effectiveness of future conservation programs.

Moreover, this project provides a replicable model for science-based conservation that can be applied to other lesser-known and at-risk freshwater species. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates and insights from this exciting journey toward securing a future for the Malayan Giant Turtle!

This initiative is collaboration between WRC Jogja-YKAY, Konklusi, and GLZoo, supported by Norden’s Ark-Sweden

The Project Updates
Courtesy of Tebat Rasau Community – Yeriyan

Tojeiro volunteered at WRC in 2018 and instantly fell in love. He decided to leave his job in the Netherlands to work alongside our keepers, managing projects and making sure all the animals get the best care possible. During the relocation period, Tojeiro studied animal health management to increase his capacity in the field of animal welfare.