Crisis Funding for Sea Turtle Conservation: Lang Tengah Turtle Watch, Malaysia

Vital marine conservation work must continue, even during this unprecedented time, so we need your help to save Malaysia’s sea turtles.

Lang Tengah Island is home to nesting beaches of Endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Critically Endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). These nesting sites are one of the last refuges for hawksbill turtles on the Eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Unfortunately, sea turtle eggs are a common sight in local food markets, fetching high prices - therefore protection of these important nesting beaches is essential.

Globally, many sectors have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis and conservation is no exception. Lang Tengah Turtle Watch’s financial independence and sustainability relies heavily on volunteers, visiting school groups and income from tourism. With the onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent loss of visitors and income, it is becoming increasingly difficult for field assistants to continue protecting the sea turtles at this critical moment in their life cycle.

A small (but mighty!) team of 5 remained on Lang Tengah to continue LTTW’s vital conservation work, but need your support in this difficult time.

We are asking for contributions to support our food, housing and transport needs, so that the work can continue as planned. Your contributions will sustain the project for the next two crucial months, giving us time to explore alternative funding opportunities to sustain the project further. We are a team of committed conservationists and love the work that we do; patrolling beaches, relocating turtle nests, as well as conducting research dives to better understand and protect the coral reef system at our doorstep.

With your contribution, you are helping to protect the next generation of sea turtles.

Please visit www.langtengahturtlewatch.org to find out more about our vital conservation work.