On November 1, 2018, the Indonesian Turtle Foundation (YPI) conducted an educational session titled “Turtles of Berau” at SMK Sehat Persada Berau. This session was attended by four classes, with around 90 enthusiastic students. In general, the students were shown various videos as evidence of turtle exploitation that still occurs in Berau. The exploitation of turtles in Berau generally happens in three ways:
1). Hunting for their meat
2). Trading their eggs
3). Trading their scutes in the form of turtle shell accessories
The discussion between the Indonesian Turtle Foundation staff and the students was filled with laughter. The students shared funny stories related to their experiences with turtles.
During the Q&A session, Rita (not her real name) admitted that her grandmother loved eating turtle eggs. According to her, her grandmother believed that eating turtle eggs would make her body healthier, and that turtle eggs could cure diseases like gout and asthma (shortness of breath). However, Rita still tried to tell her grandmother not to eat turtle eggs because turtles and their parts, including their eggs, are now protected.
The students all agreed that such exploitation is unacceptable, not only because it is illegal but also because hunting turtles is cruel. Some people take turtle eggs by cutting open the turtle’s stomach while it’s still alive. The presentation also showed video evidence that scute turtles, when their shells are taken, ultimately die in a tragic manner. This is in stark contrast to the myth believed by some people, that a turtle whose shell is taken will be fine, thinking that the shell will grow back, much like how human nails grow back.
