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For the 1st session of #WorldTurtleDay #TurtleOpenHouse, we have @gavinjolis moderating talks of resilience by our conservationists during the #COVID19 pandemic.
Tune in NOW!
Tune in NOW!
We have @gavinjolis opening with the fact that the #COVID19 pandemic is taking a toll on all of us.
But the resilience of #Turtle conservationists to persevere during this difficult time will bring #ConservationOptimism and inspire others to trudge on!
But the resilience of #Turtle conservationists to persevere during this difficult time will bring #ConservationOptimism and inspire others to trudge on!
But working in the shadow of the #COVID19 pandemic are #Turtle conservationists. The work must still go on to protect these beautiful creatures!
While there is a lot of media coverage on nature taking back the world, there are still some challenges in our work to protect turtles, whether they're from the sea or the land.
The panelist begin with Yusoff bin Shariff from the Department of Wildlife & National Parks Peninsular Malaysia
This is the first time an #MCO has been implemented in Malaysia, and it has restricted the movement of many staff working on the Department's conservation work of Batagur affinis.
One of the major concerns was the supply of food to wildlife within their conservation centers.
But with cooperation between all parties, the problems were dealt with #ConservationOptimism.
But with cooperation between all parties, the problems were dealt with #ConservationOptimism.
The threats faced by Batagur affinis are mostly habitat loss and poaching.
Egg collecting is a major concern. But according to their observations, awareness has made substantial changes to this, mostly due to the work @pelf81 has done with @TCSMsia
Egg collecting is a major concern. But according to their observations, awareness has made substantial changes to this, mostly due to the work @pelf81 has done with @TCSMsia
Pertaining to the food supply, En. Yusoff says that each turtle under their care needs to eat 10% of their body weight in vegetables. That's a lot of food!
We now have Aarston Friend Dickson sharing the main challenges faced by @WWFMy and their work in #Conservation during the #OCVID19 pandemic.
He gives a background on @WWFMy and the marine program.
For those folks who don't know, WWF refers to World Wildlife Fund, and WWF-Malaysia (est. 1972) is a branch under WWF.
For those folks who don't know, WWF refers to World Wildlife Fund, and WWF-Malaysia (est. 1972) is a branch under WWF.
They have several conservation programs in terrestrial and marine habitat.
Focused on the latter, they focus on fisheries and marine turtles. Aarston Friend Dickson is going to cover turtle bycatch, direct take, and egg poaching.
Focused on the latter, they focus on fisheries and marine turtles. Aarston Friend Dickson is going to cover turtle bycatch, direct take, and egg poaching.
Aarston is from the Semporna Priority #Conservation Area, the diver's haven in Sabah!
This area is responsible for one of the largest tourist pulls in Malaysia.
This area is responsible for one of the largest tourist pulls in Malaysia.
@WWFMy's work in Semporna PCA is multi-pronged, working with a wide range of stakeholders (gov., private, resorts, fishing community) to work towards the conservation of sea turtles.
But even a paradise like this is not immune to the impacts of #COVID19. There are no tourists on the tourist jetty!
Many resort staff were closed, and several staff were asked to take no-pay leave. Many of the resort-run hatcheries had their operations affected because of this.
Local communities who rely on tourism, their livelihoods have also been affected.
Their turtle patrolling has also dropped significantly.
Their turtle patrolling has also dropped significantly.
#WFH doesn't work when work is outside!
Work has been limited to facilitating work from home, which has been difficult, especially for those islands where there are no honorary wildlife wardens.
Because of this, there is no way they are able to monitor nesting on remote islands.
Because of this, there is no way they are able to monitor nesting on remote islands.
We now have @pelf81 covering the difficulties @TCSMsia has faced during the #COVID19 pandemic.
Tune into our YouTube if these tweets don't cut it for you!
Tune into our YouTube if these tweets don't cut it for you!
They have a hatchery, where they invite locals to release the hatchlings after they hatch from the hatchery.
However, the #MCO has forced @TCSMsia to cancel their hatchling release. They now have somewhere around 700 hatchlings waiting to be released!
However, the #MCO has forced @TCSMsia to cancel their hatchling release. They now have somewhere around 700 hatchlings waiting to be released!
Life has been tough under the #MCO! Funding, manpower, education, and awareness activities have been halted.
However, because the local community has been involved in this #Conservation work for the past 10 years, the locals were able to manage the hatchery by themselves.
However, because the local community has been involved in this #Conservation work for the past 10 years, the locals were able to manage the hatchery by themselves.
Pak Wazel has been a SUPERSTAR in caring for the wee #turtles during the #MCO. Important work indeed when movement has been restricted!
Another #ConservationOptimism story: local men who used to eat terrapin eggs now don't eat them anymore, but help with the conservation of the species!
@TCSMsia now has 10 young men helping to collect eggs for the hatchery, an important milestone since the turtle is threatened!
@TCSMsia now has 10 young men helping to collect eggs for the hatchery, an important milestone since the turtle is threatened!
We're shifting gears now and heading towards how #Academia is affected by the #COVID19 pandemic, with Dr. Juanita Joseph!
Juanita is a sea turtle biologist who used to work as the @SeatruUMT project lead in 2008-2017.
She shifted to UMS' Borneo Marine Research Institute, where she is now and back in her home town!
She shifted to UMS' Borneo Marine Research Institute, where she is now and back in her home town!
For the past several years, Juanita has been researching the biology, ecology, and threats to sea turtles.
She's pleased to see that, over the years, #Conservation of #SeaTurtles in #Malaysia has imporved! #ConservationOptimism.
She's pleased to see that, over the years, #Conservation of #SeaTurtles in #Malaysia has imporved! #ConservationOptimism.
There's a shift to working on foraging populations of sea turtles in Malaysia because there has been little attention to this important life history stage of sea turtles.
Dr. Juanita's expertise in genetics help to find which nesting beaches are contributing to foraging grounds.
Dr. Juanita's expertise in genetics help to find which nesting beaches are contributing to foraging grounds.
An important finding are the green turtles foraging in #Brunei Bay, where several sea turtles foraging there come from nesting beaches ELSEWHERE in Southeast Asia.
That means any impacts to the #SeaTurtles in Brunei Bay will impact nesting populations within the region.
That means any impacts to the #SeaTurtles in Brunei Bay will impact nesting populations within the region.
But the #COVID19 pandemic and #MCO has thrown an wrench in the plans to continue the important research.
Field work has been cancelled, post-grad student programs are delayed, samples can't be analyzed and important research can't be published.
But work must go on!
Field work has been cancelled, post-grad student programs are delayed, samples can't be analyzed and important research can't be published.
But work must go on!
We now have Jeet from the Tropical Research and Conservation Centre and their difficulties with working during the #COVID19 pandemic
TRAAC is an NGO in Malaysia that works through a volunteer support system.
Today, they have a dive boat, dive centre, and conduct several dives.
Today, they have a dive boat, dive centre, and conduct several dives.
They are independent of resorts and governments and are FULLY SUPPORTED by volunteers.
The #COVID19 pandemic has essentially removed their entire support system.
The #COVID19 pandemic has essentially removed their entire support system.
They're found on a tiny island, Pom Pom Island, off the coast (30 km) of eastern Sabah.
A turtle paradise! Guaranteed to get seven turtles a dive!
A turtle paradise! Guaranteed to get seven turtles a dive!
From the use of #PhotoID technique to identify individual sea turtles, they have found there are 228 green and 5 hawksbill sea turtles in 2019.
What's MOST incredible is that a leatherback was recorded in the water in July 2019!
Truly a very unique island.
What's MOST incredible is that a leatherback was recorded in the water in July 2019!
Truly a very unique island.
But there is (as Jeet says) "trouble in paradise." There's quite a lot of sea turtle deaths since 2018, averaging at about more than 1/mth.
Nest poaching is still an issue, along with cyanide fishing, loss of sand on nesting beaches, and blast fishing from neghboring reefs.
Nest poaching is still an issue, along with cyanide fishing, loss of sand on nesting beaches, and blast fishing from neghboring reefs.
Cyanide fishing is a new problem that came only recently, and likely a result of the #MCO since there are less eyes to watch what's happening out there.
This has been reported and the response so far has been positive!
This has been reported and the response so far has been positive!
A horrible reality in paradise. Just 10 hours ago, a nest has been poached.
Indeed a very difficult and demoralizing thing to face in sea turtle conservation :(
Indeed a very difficult and demoralizing thing to face in sea turtle conservation :(
Some of the work that TRACC does under normal circumstances. Feels like a time from long ago!
However, the #COVID19 pandemic has forced them to reprioritize their work.
They now focus on turtle patrols and hatchery management.
They now focus on turtle patrols and hatchery management.
Not only is the work impacted, but work behind the curtain has been hurt as well.
Being an NGO is tough when there are no tourists or volunteers giving donations or work hours.
As mentioned before, destructive fishing practices go unreported since there's no one in the water.
Being an NGO is tough when there are no tourists or volunteers giving donations or work hours.
As mentioned before, destructive fishing practices go unreported since there's no one in the water.
An example of what's happening under MCO with regards to unreported destructive fishing practices.
Also, explosive fishing is happening in NEIGHBORING reefs, not at Pom Pom Island during MCO.
Also, explosive fishing is happening in NEIGHBORING reefs, not at Pom Pom Island during MCO.
Probably one of the most difficult things during the #MCO #COVID19 pandemic is the psychological strain faced by our front line conservationists.
Which is why stories of #ConservationOptimism such as our #TurtleOpenHouse are important!!
Which is why stories of #ConservationOptimism such as our #TurtleOpenHouse are important!!
With all presentations done, @gavinjolis is shifting gears to see how our panelists have adapted to working with the #COVID19 #MCO.
They also looked at how other agencies dealt with supply chain shortages and what happens if their contractors are unable to fulfill their contracts.
But thankfully everything worked out well.
But thankfully everything worked out well.
While the MCO has affected @WWFMy's work in Semporna, they have received support from Sabah Wildlife Department to continue their nature conservation work safely.
They are also continuing funding to community livelihood working on conservation through crowdfunding efforts.
They are also continuing funding to community livelihood working on conservation through crowdfunding efforts.
Dr. @pelf81 from @TCSMsia also say they have turned to crowdfunding efforts to support their work.
Intern power can't be on site, but are now being used for graphic design. @TCSMsia has released FREE material for parents to keep their kids busy during #MCO.
Intern power can't be on site, but are now being used for graphic design. @TCSMsia has released FREE material for parents to keep their kids busy during #MCO.
And @TCSMsia has now fallen back on e-mail marketing, a tool that has not been used for a while.
"We'll just do this next time" they said.
Next time is now! Great adaptability during trying times!
"We'll just do this next time" they said.
Next time is now! Great adaptability during trying times!
Work has been busy in #Academia. Meetings still happen, so work keeps going.
All data now can be analyzed as well, since field work has been halted.
A lot more time is spent in front of the screen, which can be tiring but there's no need to drive and reduce pollution!
All data now can be analyzed as well, since field work has been halted.
A lot more time is spent in front of the screen, which can be tiring but there's no need to drive and reduce pollution!
Jeet was on the island before the MCO was put in place and is now stuck on the island.
Loneliness and isolation has been tough (island fever is a real thing, people!).
But hope and #ConservationOptimism is what keeps him going. It's an honour to be a part of conservation work.
Loneliness and isolation has been tough (island fever is a real thing, people!).
But hope and #ConservationOptimism is what keeps him going. It's an honour to be a part of conservation work.
And food, food keeps him going too 
The YouTube live chat is LIT, YO! If you got a question, head over to our YouTube and ask there!
A question was asked about how the #MCO will impact nesting.
Dr. Juanita took the reigns and said that the MCO would no impact nesting numbers, because nesting numbers are based on efforts 20 years ago because that's how long they take to mature.
Dr. Juanita took the reigns and said that the MCO would no impact nesting numbers, because nesting numbers are based on efforts 20 years ago because that's how long they take to mature.
Hard to say whether it impacts nesting of freshwater terrapins. Nesting in Terengganu happens in Feb and March, and in Kedah it's Jan and Feb.
#MCO has only been around since March, and is hard to quantify at the moment.
#MCO has only been around since March, and is hard to quantify at the moment.
The illegal egg trade in Sabah is a topic being discussed hotly in the live chat. Onto Aarston Friend from @WWFMy
They are aware it's happening and are tackling the consumption of eggs at home.
But there is great difficulty in dealing with illegal selling of eggs because there is still a demand to eat eggs.
So the demand needs to be dealt with.
But there is great difficulty in dealing with illegal selling of eggs because there is still a demand to eat eggs.
So the demand needs to be dealt with.
He also notes that Sabah Wildlife Department has been organizing a three-day World Turtle Day event in Sabah as an avenue for outreach and education where they play games, watch movies, and share the threats faced by turtles.
What this highlights is...
What this highlights is...
...that even with government support, the real impact needs to come from the public. If the demand is dealt with, then poaching can be reduced.
To wrap up:
How are we going to adapt our field and conservation work in the future?
How are we going to adapt our field and conservation work in the future?
En. Yusoff: Enforcement and public awareness, with a call to the public to love our natural environment.
Aarston: Long-term efforts are required, but a focus on the public needs to happen.
@pelf81: Community-based conservation is the way to go. Local communities must be....
Aarston: Long-term efforts are required, but a focus on the public needs to happen.
@pelf81: Community-based conservation is the way to go. Local communities must be....
[cont. from @pelf81]: ...involved!
Juanita: We have to remain positive and face each challenge patiently. Research/conservation ain't easy, but we must have #ConservationOptimism. A call to the public to get behind #Turtle conservation.
Juanita: We have to remain positive and face each challenge patiently. Research/conservation ain't easy, but we must have #ConservationOptimism. A call to the public to get behind #Turtle conservation.
Jeet: Multi-disciplinary collaboration, environmental awareness, make our voices LOUDER! Focus on education, especially in the virtual world.
And now @GavinJolis close:
"I hope you can relate with the panelists sharing that we would be able to persevere. We're in this together to face the current challenge and adapting to the new normal.
Turtles are resilient creatures and have existed from the age of the dinosaurs...
"I hope you can relate with the panelists sharing that we would be able to persevere. We're in this together to face the current challenge and adapting to the new normal.
Turtles are resilient creatures and have existed from the age of the dinosaurs...
...a fact that our species that our species should draw inspiration from! Turtles have adapted and will continue to do so, and we as conservationists could learn from that and hopefully can build our resilience overcoming these challenges in the new normal."
