Save our Turtles Outreach Progam (S.T.O.P)
Prof Chan Eng Heng
Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group
Institute of Oceanagraphy, Universiti
Malaysia Terengganu
Email:
ehchan@umt.edu.my,
enghengchan@yahoo.com
STOP, the acronym for the Save our Turtles
Outreach Program was launched in 1998 to
involve members of the public directly in
the conservation of marine turtles in
Terengganu and was later expanded to cover
river terrapins in 2004.
This presentation outlines the marine turtle
and river terrapin conservation projects
supported by the funds raised through STOP.
The various outreach components of STOP
designed to raise public awareness, promote
direct participation in a grass-roots marine
turtle conservation project in Redang Island
and to raise funds are highlighted.
The success of STOP is reflected in
volunteer participation rates, quantum of
nests and turtles adopted and the frequency
of educational turtle camps, talks and
exhibitions held, as well as in the
increasing number of organized group visits
to the project site. Support from the State
Government, local communities, resort
operators on the island, corporate bodies
and the public at large also serve as
indicators of success.
Prof
Chan Eng Heng
