MALACCA: They may be the symbol and pride of the east-coast state, but for nearly five years, not a single leatherback turtle has landed on the shores of Terengganu.
The endangered leatherback turtle’s last recorded landing was in 2010.
Fisheries deputy director-general (Development) Zulkafli Abd Rashida said only eight nests were recorded during that landing and worse, the eggs did not hatch at all.
“Leatherback turtles will only land and lay eggs at Terengganu’s shores but they will keep away because of the human activities and too many lights at the beach.
“If the situation continues, the species will become extinct,” he told reporters after the launch of the Endangered Species Awareness and Conservation Programme here today.
The programme was launched by Melaka Tourism, Beach, River and Island Development deputy exco Datuk Ghazale Muhamad.
Meanwhile, Zulkafli said the population of green turtles had increased nationwide, with about 2,000 landings in 1996 to 4,000 this year. -- Bernama