Letter to the Editor: Terrapins must be included
Posted on 13 February 2009
WWF-Malaysia is heartened by statement made by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) deputy director-general that turtles and terrapins must be protected under Federal Law (Law Needed to Protect Terrapins, 05 February 2009). The Protection of Wildlife Act 1972, which is the principal Federal legislation purporting to protect wildlife in Peninsular Malaysia, has never attempted to include turtles or terrapins within its purview.
Specifically with regard to the southern river terrapin, the Batagur affinis (previously Batagur baska) has been classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as being critically endangered and listed as an Appendix I species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Expedient efforts must be undertaken to protect this species under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972.
In light of the fact that the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 is currently being reviewed by PERHILITAN, it is the most opportune time to add river terrapins under its scheduled list of totally protected species.
From: Dato' Dr. Dionysius S.K. Sharma D.P.M.P., Executive Director/CEO, WWF-Malaysia
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