Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group and its stakeholders take part in the release of pig-nosed turtle hatchlings at Kao River, Kalikao Subvillage in Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency.
CEPOSONLINE.COM, BOVEN DIGOEL- Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, a South Papua-based oil palm plantation and management company, took part in the release of pig-nosed turtle hatchlings at Kao River, Kalikao Subvillage in Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency Friday (01/10).
This event is part of conservation efforts run by Kinggo Kambenap, a local community dedicated to preserving nearby habitats since 2007.
Attending stakeholders included government representatives, local police leaders, private sector officials, academicians, and Kinggo Kambenap members themselves. Together, they allowed the “tukik birip” — the hatchlings’ local name — to crawl into Kao River. In the past months, Kinggo Kambenap had been busy collecting and looking after pig-nosed turtle eggs until they’re ready to hatch and roam into the wild. The goal? Protecting the habitat of Kao River’s endemic populations — where these turtles are a part of — for future generations.
“We strongly support Kinggo Kambenap’s preservation efforts, which [we think] are consistent with our promise to safeguard natural environments and champion habitat conservation programs organized by local communities,” said TSE Group representative Bani Susilo Djokroadji.
The firm itself has been involved in the care of Carrettochelys insculpta (the Latin name for pig-nosed turtles) in Boven Digoel’s Kao and Muyu Rivers in partnership with IPB University.
Its role is to provide all the researchers’ needs to properly study the freshwater species.
This project and Kinggo Kambenap’s work are hoped to stabilize population numbers and maintain the living environment for the turtles and, in turn, other rare species.
Onwards, TSE Group will continue supporting the initiative and environmental programs in general. (*)
Source: www.ceposonline.com
