In the soup over turtle egg dinner

 

KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife authorities are in the midst of gathering information over a photo that shows a Sabahan family serving turtle eggs, which are protected, as part of their inter-racial Chinese New Year eve reunion dinner.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustin Tuuga said no one has come forward to lodge an official report on the matter but they are taking it upon themselves to investigate the matter.

“We need to find out when and where the alleged incident took place and in cases like this, of course those involved will not say anything, ” he said.

He added they would need concrete evidence to not only charge someone, but make sure they are penalised for their offence.

Tuuga therefore urged anyone with information and proof that could lead to a prosecution to come forward and assist the probe.

Turtle egg conservationist Alexander Yee said if an investigation was to be launched on the matter, it should not be a problem as pictures have been circulating and everyone knows who the person that posted the photos is.

“It’s all over and on Facebook, surely they can easily call the alleged perpetrator so there shouldn’t be any excuse, right? Unless they are concerned about the person’s background?” he said.

The alleged perpetrator is said to be the brother of a former assemblyman.

Yee said he was disappointed and angry over the incident and that people are blatantly showing the public that they are eating turtle eggs and have the protected items in their possession.

“I hope the Sabah Wildlife Department will take action and carry out a thorough investigation, ” said the president of Friends of Sea Turtle Education and Research (Foster).

“I have spent almost 10 years in turtle conservation and of course I am concerned about these things, ” he said.

He said Foster even has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sabah Wildlife Department to operate a sea turtle hatchery on Libaran Island off Sandakan for the past eight years, and has successfully released over 40,000 sea turtles into the ocean.

“Enforcement and conservation work have to go hand in hand to ensure that the population is sustainable, ” Yee added.

On this note, he said the illicit turtle egg trade in Sabah has always been blamed on smugglers.

“But now, with all the international borders closed in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the movement control order imposed and restrictions in other neighbouring countries, how does anyone get their supply of turtle eggs?” he said. - Star

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