UNAIR NEWS–The role of universities is needed to overcome various problems in society.One of them is by preserving and handling of theft cases of endangered species.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) has handled nine rare turtles that will be sold by fishermen on Wednesday, December 6. Muhammad Yunus, Drh., M.Kes., Ph.D., as a lecturer of FKH UNAIR with several students handled the nine rare turtles.
“There were nine scaly and green turtles captured by fishermen on Sapudi Island, Sumenep.The fishermen were arrested because it was deemed a crime as they were going to sell them, “said Yunus.
He added that an indication that the turtles would be sold was seen from some broken feet and almost all perforated to be carried and sold for consumption.The first step taken by the FKH UNAIR team with the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) and Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) Section III was to recover them.
Hawksbill Turtle.Image Source
“This is done so the public knows that there are several types of protected turtles.It needs special attention because they are very rare, “said Yunus.
As a team of academics, Yunus and the team were on duty to ensure the health of the turtles.Furthermore, after making sure the turtles are healthy, Yunus added that his team with various relevant agencies will release the endangered species into their natural habitat.
“So, as they are good and healthy, these turtles will be released to their natural habitat,” concluded the lecturer.(*)
Author: Nuri Hermawan
Editor: Feri Fenoria
