Malaysia Sea-Turtle Conservation Volunteer Program

Sea turtles are now threatened the world over, and, despite the implementation of conservation policies, populations continue to plummet. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is no exception. 20 years ago, this region was a prolific breeding-ground for four species of turtle, now only two remain. There are many factors contributing to this decimation, but they all have a common denominator – human exploitation. Most detrimental human activities have a secondary impact on the turtles, such as entanglement by fishing gear or being deterred from nesting by the bright lights of hotels and resorts. One activity, however, prevents entire generations from ever making it out to sea – egg poaching.

To ensure that our migratory population of turtles are able to continue using the island as a breeding ground for generations to come, we need guardians to stop the poaching activity on Lang Tengah. Our operation can only function if we have a dedicated team of individuals willing to partake in our conservation practices, including our new marine research projects. This is the main reason for joining our project, and watching a turtle laying eggs or hatchlings scampering down to the water’s edge are your rewards – sights rarely seen by most, and a real privilege to witness. Volunteers are an essential part of our operation – in fact, we can’t do without them. By engaging in activities such as nighttime beach patrols, egg collection and nest monitoring they enable us to help save the turtles and collate our scientific data throughout the season.

Our turtle watch has begun. Volunteers are on the beaches of Lang Tengah – an island off the East Coast of Malaysia – monitoring turtle landings and saving their eggs from poachers. This started as an ambitious project; one which, we hope, will run successfully for years to come. Join us in our mission to help save sea turtles from extinction! We are striving to protect what is evidently threatened, and to discover what other conservation issues lie hidden on the island.

Our satellite programmes are bringing the local community to Turtle Bay, so they too can experience our project first-hand. Improvement of waste management on the island is now another key focus area for us.

Volunteer Requisites

Willing to patrol beaches at nighttime
Willing to participate in all turtle and survey work as requested
Willing to help out with chores around camp
Able to swim
Up for the adventure of living in the jungle
Open-minded and outgoing, looking to make new friends on the project

Work/Schedule

After breakfast, we conduct nest inspections to make sure that the eggs are developing well and haven’t succumb to predator attacks. Depending on which research phase you join for, you will also be split into groups to undertake the affiliated surveys. Lunch is then followed by free time (or surveys, if they were missed in the morning), where we normally go jungle trekking to secluded snorkelling spots around the island, but volunteers are equally free to laze on Turtle Bay and enjoy the serenity. The main aspect of the volunteer’s responsibilities is to assist in nightly patrols along the beaches in search of nesting mothers. This is divided into shifts between the hours of 8pm – 7am.