Leatherbacks are returning to Malaysia!
Credit: The Star Online
I hope this time round, the government will make an effort to help conserve this species, as it is a critically endangered species (close to extinction), a highly sensitive one, and may soon be gone before we even know it.
In fact, they are thought to have been extinct due to really rare sightings of Leatherbacks!
Do you know that in the 1950's, thousands and hundreds of Leatherbacks (11,000 as recorded in 1950's) used to come to the shores of Rantau Abang, Terengganu, to nest?
Thanks to the turtles, it has generated tons of money or income for the locals. Loads of tourists traveled there just to catch a sight of this rare species (well, maybe not as "rare" that time?). Rantau Abang is... well, used to be... a very famous tourist destination.
However, with lots of tourists traveling to that area, it also brings a lot of noises and commotions, lights, sounds and rubbishs... which frighten the turtles.
Apart from that, there are also reports where those idiotic brainless tourist actually abuse the animals as it was coming on shore, or 'landing'. Turtles are extremely sensitive creatures who are not used to such stress.
At that time, the government did nothing to control the tourists from "flooding" the place (no rangers to patrol the area, everyone free to do whatever they want). The locals take the turtles for granted and exploited them to make as much money possible without caring for their welfare, that ultimately, the turtles stop coming to the shores of Rantau Abang.
Without the turtles, Rantau Abang, this once famous tourist destination, has fallen into nothing more than a mere quiet town, a ghost town. Many of its tourism spots and resorts are now abandoned, and what use to be a busy seaside resort paradise is nothing more than a mere fishing village now.
Credits: JourneyMalaysia.com
Do you know just last year (2007), there was totally no nestings from the Leatherbacks at all at Rantau Abang? Imagine that, just within the span of 50 years or so, from thousands of them to now zero. Gosh, Malaysians amazes me.
As the turtles has stopped nesting at Rantau Abang altogether, this has also stopped tourist income for the locals, which leads to it being the abandoned town it is now. Rantau Abang has seen its heydays. From a once popular tourist spot, to a place where people will just drive through in search of other better tourism destination.
Credits: JourneyMalaysia.com
Though the beaches remain as beautiful, it also serves as a reminder of how humans can actually push an animal to the brink of extinction. How the consequence has also severely effected the humans who caused this in the first place.
If you ask my opinion, a bit the padan muka lor.
Imagine if Rantau Abang is actually still a famous hot-spot for Leatherback nestings? Malaysia will actually have a place to boast about, because after all, how many countries can actually offer nature tourists spots?
Its something given, not created.
Its something you cannot take for granted, you have to appreciate it otherwise if its gone, its gone, and possibly forever.
This happens when you take things for granted.
Credits: Rantau Abang, Terrenganu: journeymalaysia.com
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ps: Lols, this two article (here and here) amazes me!
It's the exact same article as the one by The Star, but whats different is the accompanying picture.
Where The Star's accompanying picture with the article is a REAL Leatherback Turtle, the other two articles used pictures of Green Turtle hatchlings instead!!
Or so i think it should be, i'm no turtle expert
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