Friends Of The Polewali Mandar Turtle Release Thousands Of Tukik For Marine Sustainability

A number of foreign tourists participated in releasing turtles at Mampie Beach, Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi (ANTARA/HO-Sahabat Turtle, Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi)

JAKARTA - The Conservation Movement Community Group (Kompak) Sahabat Turtle in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi, managed to release 11,290 hatchlings into the high seas throughout 2024.

"This figure is likely greater than recorded, because there may be turtles that lay eggs without being monitored by the team," said Muhammad Yusri, chairman of Turtle Friends Polewali Mandar, who is better known as Yusri Mampie, on Friday, as quoted by ANTARA.

Most of the hatchlings released are lekang turtles, which are currently categorized as endangered species. This effort is the result of the hard work of the Friends of Turtle community with local residents who routinely maintain and monitor turtles during the year-long egg season.

"We continue to monitor and protect turtles that lay eggs in this area. All of this cannot be separated from the support of the community who are increasingly aware of the importance of protecting marine ecosystems," explained Yusri.

Awareness of the surrounding community for the importance of turtle sustainability also provides a big impetus for the success of this conservation program. Turtle Friends hope Mampie Beach can continue to be a safe habitat for turtles to breed, with increasing support from various parties.

However, Yusri admits, challenges still exist, especially in terms of funding and the lack of adequate supporting equipment. "We hope that by 2025, there will be more support to improve this conservation program, both from the community and related parties," said the winner of the 2021 Kalpataru award for the category of Environmental Pioneers.

Mampie Beach itself has been known as an important area for turtle conservation in West Sulawesi. At this location there is a Turtle House, which is a center for education and protection for these marine animals.

The Turtle Friends Community, which is based in Mampie Hamlet, Polewali Mandar, continues to be committed to preserving and protecting turtle habitats as an important part of the marine ecosystem.