Twenty-First Years Breeding Performance of Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) at Perak River, Peninsular Malaysia

Year 2019, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 52 - 58, 01.12.2019

Mohd Hairul Bin Mohd Salleh Shahrul Anuar Bin Mohd Sah

Abstract

The southern river terrapin, Batagur affinis (i.e. locally known as
“tuntung”) is one of the world’s most critically endangered river turtle
inhabiting large rivers and estuaries of southern Thailand
and west Malaysia. The present study is conducted at Perak River, Malaysia,
whereby it aims to assess the performance of Malaysian government agency known
as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in protecting this
species over the past 21 years. The data was collected through observation and
secondary sources. In 1996, the species bred in the highest numbers; however,
in the following years, the number were decreased dramatically. All in all, the
population trends showed that the species numbers are declining and to be
endangered. To address these serious issues, some recommendations are proposed in
this study.

Keywords

Batagur affinis, breeding performance, decreasing, endangered, recommendations

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