One such gift is the 2023 table calendar by the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS).

This year’s calendar features beautiful artwork by nine children from the British International School of Kuala Lumpur, (BSKL).

Co-founded by Chen Pelf Nyok in 2011 and based in Kemaman, Terengganu, TCS is the only organisation dedicated to the conservation of freshwater turtles, with a focus on river terrapins.

“These children are inspirational in their desire to contribute towards our conservation efforts,” said Chen, adding that their parents and school played an instrumental role in making the project a success.

Besides 13 beautiful drawings by the children aged seven to 12, the calendar also states important dates relating to the environment and the effort of conservation.

All proceeds from the sales go towards TCS’s conservation efforts.

In 2021, two of the children, Jenna Liew, nine, and her classmate, Ethan Hong, nine, raised more than RM7,000 for TCS through their “Turtle Gift Boxes”.

Liew designed postcards whereas Hong crafted keychains using plastic waste recovered from beach clean-ups.

“When Jenna was five, her parents took her to our three-day-two-night nature discovery trip, and it clearly made an impact on her,” said Chen, adding that she hoped this would inspire other children to play a role in conservation and recycling efforts as well.

Threats faced by river terrapins

Unlike sea turtles that are found all over the world, river terrapins are only found in Cambodia and Peninsula Malaysia and are listed as “critically endangered” according to the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

And despite being listed as “totally protected” under the Malaysian Conservation Act 2010, river terrapin eggs are still sold and consumed openly due to lack of enforcement.

It’s no surprise that the hatching success rate has been declining over the years, and this year, the rates dropped to a shocking 11% from 40% last year.

This means that for every 100 eggs, there’ll only be about 11 hatchlings.

“After ruling out other possibilities, we think that the reasons for the unfertilised eggs could be due to the lack of male turtles, or it could be caused by the reduced fertility among the ageing male population,” she said, adding that the hatching success rate was as high as 77% in 2015.

She added that the river terrapin hatcheries managed by Perhilitan in Perak, Kedah and Terengganu also recorded a decline in hatching success rates.

“This is alarming; if we don’t have younger males, the females will continue to lay eggs that are unfertilised.

“River terrapins take about 20 years to mature and reproduce, and I’m extremely worried that the hatching success rates will further drop to under 10% next year.”

Besides humans, freshwater turtles also face a host of other threats to their survival. These include destruction of habitat due to sand mining activities, getting trapped in fishing gear, as well as being eaten by monitor lizards, crocodiles and wild dogs.

“There are many challenges to conservation efforts, but despite our hard work, people are still collecting terrapin eggs and no action is taken. We are running out of time; we need political will,” said Chen.

How can you help

Malaysians can do their part of ensuring the survival of freshwater river terrapins by buying the calendars for themselves as well as for their loved ones.

Besides the calendars, TCS’s other merchandise includes, among others, face masks, pet bandanas, t-shirts and tote bags.

Better still, adopt a river terrapin! Or sign up to participate in one of their fun and informative tours.

Ultimately, no matter how bleak things look at the moment, Chen is grateful and touched by the effort from the children, as well as their parents and school.

“Hopefully others will see the good in it and support our cause.”

Purchase the calendar for RM35 from Turtle Conservation Society’s (TCS) webstore or Shopee.

Or get the calendars at the Berjaya charity fair at Berjaya Times Square on Dec 7, and the charity fair at BSKL on Dec 8.

Learn more about TCS from its website, Facebook and Instagram.