At least 90 students from SMK PGRI Berau enthusiastically listened to the stories of several young people who were part of a coalition of turtle protection organizations in Berau. On the afternoon of November 3, the Indonesian Turtle Foundation (YPI), Lintas Alam Borneo (LAB), and Protection of Forest and Fauna (PROFAUNA) held a joint educational session on turtle conservation.
During the session, it was explained how important it is to preserve turtles for the benefit of humans, as they play a key role in the ecosystem by maintaining the health of the sea.
One student from Derawan Island (one of 33 islands in Derawan District) mentioned that the trade of accessories made from the scute (shell) of turtles still occurs there. Most of the customers are local tourists. The high demand for these accessories is driven by the reputation of Berau, where the most unique souvenir from the area is said to be accessories made from turtle scutes. Some members of the community still believe the myth that wearing scute accessories makes them immune to poison attacks.
During the education session, the educators urged the students to start thinking logically and realize that the condition of the scute turtles is increasingly endangered and facing severe threats of extinction. The students can contribute to turtle conservation efforts by refraining from purchasing accessories made from turtle scutes.
