You have 0 items in your cart
July was a bustling month for our team, marked by the continuation of our long-term program for the release of Malayan Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis). Following last month’s site survey in Tebat Rasau, Belitung, we successfully organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Biodiversity Management Training from July 9 to July 12 this year. This event was made possible through the collaboration of several partners, including the Tebat Rasau Community, Satucita Foundation Indonesia, Genbinesia, and Indonesia Herpetofauna Foundation, with support from IUCN ASAP.
The three-day event began with an FGD on the first day, bringing together 50 participants from various government agencies, educational institutions, and the Tebat Rasau community. The event kicked off with presentations from key government departments, including the Department of Tourism, the Environmental Agency, and the Geopark Agency. This was followed by in-depth discussions during the FGD session.
On the second and third days, the focus shifted to hands-on training led by expert practitioners. The topics covered included First Aid for Turtles and Survey and Monitoring Techniques, which were particularly beneficial for members of the Tebat Rasau community. The event concluded with a discussion and evaluation session, reflecting on the activities and their impact.
Our primary goal for this training was to provide the Tebat Rasau community with a platform to voice their concerns about the region’s condition, brainstorm solutions with relevant agencies, and acquire valuable knowledge. The hope is that they will now be better equipped to take initial rescue actions when encountering any turtle species, particularly Orlitia, in their area.
While the current situation at WRC Jogja prevents us from conducting on-site conservation education activities, it hasn’t stopped us from improvising. We are collaborating with various agencies/ communities to create conservation programs for both domestic and international students.
As part of our ongoing early-stage turtle project, we continue to conduct monthly check-ups on baby turtles at GLZoo. This routine monitoring is crucial to ensure their healthy growth and well-being. This blend of fieldwork, training, and regular monitoring shows our commitment to protecting biodiversity and our ability to handle challenges.
