In a flurry of tiny movements, 670 river-terrapin hatchlings, only a few months old, scuttled down the sandy bank and into the river.

This breathtaking moment was the culmination of years of dedicated effort, driven by Dr Chen Pelf Nyok and the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS).

Chen, a co-founder of TCS, has spent over a decade working to protect the river terrapin, a freshwater turtle species found only in Kedah, Perak and Terengganu. “The river terrapin is critically endangered, and time is not on our side,” she told FMT Lifestyle.

The annual terrapin release in Kampung Pasir Gajah is a testament to her unwavering commitment and the village’s growing role in conservation.

This year’s event, which saw Watsons donating RM43,500 to TCS to support their efforts, marks the largest release since the River Terrapin Conservation Project began in 2011.

With over a decade of work in the field, Chen was previously recognised for her conservation leadership with the prestigious Commonwealth Points of Light Award, presented by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

When she was fresh out of university with a master’s in biodiversity and conservation, Chen embarked on a mission to save the river terrapins. Her research took her to riverside villages, where she interviewed fishermen about the declining terrapin population.

Chen learnt that terrapins still nested along the Kemaman River – but what they needed was protection. “The villagers were eating the terrapin eggs because no one was protecting them. It was unsustainable,” she recalled.

With local support, especially from the head of Kampung Pasir Gajah, Chen and her former supervisor secured funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to launch the River Terrapin Conservation Project.

Thirteen years later, the project has saved over 9,700 eggs from human consumption, and approximately 6,000 hatchlings have been released into the river.

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. River terrapins face numerous threats, including chronic egg poaching, ghost fishing, and sand mining – exacerbated by the species’ long maturation period of 20 years before a terrapin can reproduce.

“It’s crucial that we save every egg we can now,” Chen stressed. “If we don’t act, we may not have terrapins to release in the future.”

A key component of TCS’s success has been enforcement by the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan), and its partnership with the local community, especially “terrapin guardians”.

These men, former poachers who once collected terrapin eggs for food, now play a vital role in conservation. They patrol the nesting banks at night, collecting eggs for incubation at a local hatchery in the village, and protect the nesting sites from poaching.

“The terrapin guardians see it with their own eyes now – it’s not just about taking eggs to eat, it’s about giving life back to the river,” Chen said.

TCS has also been instrumental in raising public awareness. At every release event, there is a carnival-like atmosphere, with educational activities for children and families.

In addition, the society runs turtle camps in local schools, ensuring that children understand the importance of conservation from a young age.

Looking ahead, Chen has big plans. “My dream is to establish a dedicated freshwater turtle research centre – perhaps even a turtle zoo – where people can learn about Malaysia’s 18 freshwater turtle species,” she shared.

Currently, TCS is the only freshwater turtle conservation organisation in the country, but Chen hopes that this model of community-driven conservation will inspire others.

Notably, housewives at the village are trained to produce handmade items that are sold to generate income, empowering the local community.

As the 670 hatchlings disappeared into the Kemaman River, their future uncertain but filled with hope, one thing remained clear: without Chen and TCS, moments like this – where a species on the brink of extinction gets a second chance – wouldn’t exist.

Read more about the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia here. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.