It has been three days since the team has arrived in Setiu. Now that we have finalized our program and objectives, we proceeded with the plan in mind. The Operation committee went to the nearest hardware shop to order paints, building materials, wood, zinc roof for our activities. They include the making and installation of signboards at the Hatchery site, new coat of paints for two houses in Kampong Mangkuk and PEWANIS ‘s office (the Pink House) and murals for the local school. As some materials are not ready bought, it has to be ordered we could not have them immediately. Hence, some plans and activities were re-scheduled.
Meanwhile, the team went to the Hatchery to attempt Nest Excavation at the Hatchery. What we did was to dig out the nest to retrieve the eggs shells as well as the unhatched eggs. Some photos we have:
The group got together after lunch to make the giant signboard for the Penarik hatchery. The signboard will be used as an information board for visitors to learn more about the hatchery and will contain updates about the hatchery. In addition to that, the team will be creating signage for the mangrove swamp for visitors which serve as reminders to be more aware of their actions towards environment. The team worked together from scratch to make the signboard and this includes sawing the wooden planks to painting the wood with undercoat and a second layer of paint with the preferred colour and even the nailing of planks. Below are a couple of photos of the giant signboard the team erected!
Later in the night, an English class was held. The children came and learn how to make mask using paper plates and design an animal on the paper of which they will later use to cover their face. The children with their unique sense of colour gave a rather quirky interpretation of the animal.
In addition, tonight was the first night was Beach patrol for Project Orion III. Two teams of pairs went for their beach patrol at Kuala Bahru and Telaga Papan. Those who went were Gladys and Eddy and Hamida and Jason. Gladys & Eddy patrolled Telaga Papan whilst the second pair patrolled Kuala Bahru.
Team Telaga Papan set off from the beach at around 2220hrs and around 2340hrs, we found the tracks of a turtle. The ranger and the team slowly approach the site and finally found the turtle. The turtle was still in the midst of laying the eggs. After some time, the turtle went back into the sea whilst me, Eddy, helped to dig the nest to collect the eggs which will be brought back to the Hatchery. The number of eggs obtained was 89 which was also the same amount of another nest found further down Telaga Papan by another ranger. Team Telaga Papan then hand over the eggs to Nurul from World Wildlife Fund and we walked a little bit more before resting for the night. We were picked up at 0400hrs to return to Pink House to take a rest. Team Kuala Bahru also had the opportunity to see a Green Turtle returning to sea after laying its eggs.
It was indeed a fruitful night for the 4 members!
It was indeed a fruitful night for the 4 members!
Written by: Eddy
Edited by: Gladys
Post from Team Kuala Bahru
After dinner, we rest at Kak Tar's house while waiting for Abg Bi and Wai Si to fetch us to Kuala Bahru. They were held up by some work so we only set off at about 2220hrs. We had to take a boat ride from the jetty near Kak Tar's house in total darkness. It was Hamida's first ride. Another ranger, Abg Zi also followed use for the patrol.
We had the opportunity to release hatchlings at Kuala bahru. At about 2320hrs, Abg Zi received a call saying that tracks of a green turtle was seen up ahead of Kuala Bahru. So we quickly headed to the site and saw Wai Si, Abg Bi and another ranger cleaning the turtle. She had already laid her eggs and were on the way back to the sea. The WWF team had to clean the barnacles off the turtle so that it will not add weight to the mother turtle. We also saw how the turtle struggled when we overturned it and Wai Si had to sit on it and Abg Zi to cover it's face to calm her down. We took measurements of the mother turtle. She is about 97cm long and 83cm wide. According to Abg Bi, this mother turtle had came up to the beach twice to lay eggs as she has a tag on her.
The team helped to dig the nest to collect the eggs. Initially, we had some trouble trying to locate the nest but with the experts with us, they were able to locate the nest. The number of eggs obtained was 103. The eggs were then brought back to hatchery by Abg Ha. We continue to patrol. Along the way, we saw another track however, the turtle seemed to make a U-turn and did not lay any eggs. So we continue the search for green turtle or terrapin all the way till the end of Kuala Bahru. We took a rest in the house at the Kuala Bahru Hatchery area. We got back to Kak tar's house at about 8am and took breakfast before we go to sleep.
Malay word of the day: Terappin : Tuntung
Written by: Hamida & Jason
Edited by: Gladys
Post from Team Kuala Bahru
After dinner, we rest at Kak Tar's house while waiting for Abg Bi and Wai Si to fetch us to Kuala Bahru. They were held up by some work so we only set off at about 2220hrs. We had to take a boat ride from the jetty near Kak Tar's house in total darkness. It was Hamida's first ride. Another ranger, Abg Zi also followed use for the patrol.
We had the opportunity to release hatchlings at Kuala bahru. At about 2320hrs, Abg Zi received a call saying that tracks of a green turtle was seen up ahead of Kuala Bahru. So we quickly headed to the site and saw Wai Si, Abg Bi and another ranger cleaning the turtle. She had already laid her eggs and were on the way back to the sea. The WWF team had to clean the barnacles off the turtle so that it will not add weight to the mother turtle. We also saw how the turtle struggled when we overturned it and Wai Si had to sit on it and Abg Zi to cover it's face to calm her down. We took measurements of the mother turtle. She is about 97cm long and 83cm wide. According to Abg Bi, this mother turtle had came up to the beach twice to lay eggs as she has a tag on her.
The team helped to dig the nest to collect the eggs. Initially, we had some trouble trying to locate the nest but with the experts with us, they were able to locate the nest. The number of eggs obtained was 103. The eggs were then brought back to hatchery by Abg Ha. We continue to patrol. Along the way, we saw another track however, the turtle seemed to make a U-turn and did not lay any eggs. So we continue the search for green turtle or terrapin all the way till the end of Kuala Bahru. We took a rest in the house at the Kuala Bahru Hatchery area. We got back to Kak tar's house at about 8am and took breakfast before we go to sleep.
Malay word of the day: Terappin : Tuntung
Written by: Hamida & Jason
No comments:
Post a Comment