April 2, 2025
KOTA KINABALU – Studies are suggesting that the box turtle population is dwindling, even as they remain common pets in many households.
While there is insufficient data to support this, there are several sub-species of box turtles which have been recorded as decreasing in their numbers by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Box turtle is the common name for several species of turtle, and may refer to those of the genus Cuora or Pyxidea, which are the Asian box turtles, or more commonly to North American box turtles from the genus Terrapene.
These include the eastern box turtles, the invasive red-eared turtles and the Asian leaf turtles, said 1StopBorneo conservationist Shavez Cheema.
He said the requirements for box turtles that are kept as pets is not necessarily a straightforward matter, while overharvesting from the wild will affect the native population.
To address the habitat and population concerns of these and many other species, more awareness on protection is needed especially among youths, he said.
On that note, the Borneo Wildlife Ambassador Programme for 2025 is back with a recent launching at SMK St Francis, Kota Kinabalu here.
What is a box turtle? by candy
“This programme is a continuation of last year’s pilot, whereby the focus this round will be on box turtles.
“The ultimate goal is for students to highlight that this local species needs protection,” Shavez said.
This year, seven schools comprising five from Sabah and two from the neighbouring country of Brunei are set to lead in the programme, he said.
These schools are SMK Perempuan Likas, SMK St Francis and Kinabalu International School in Kota Kinabalu; SMK Balung and SMK Jambatan Putih in Tawau; as well as SM Sayyidina Ali and Jerudong International School in Brunei.
“This programme will run for six months, where the participating young ambassadors will gather for monthly talks, outings and various other activities,” said Shavez.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the Asian box turtle is actually listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II.
Appendix II are species which are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but trade must be controlled to prevent utilisation incompatible with their survival.
“In this appendix, it means that any trade of these species out of Sabah must require a permit and approval from the Wildlife Department, and it is also an offence for trade within the state as it is considered protected based on the prohibition definition under the Wildlife Protection Enactment,” he said.
He said there was much confusion among the public on the status of this species of turtle as they are listed as protected under CITES but not directly under the Wildlife Protection Enactment.
This indirectly means that this species is classified as protected, said Mohd Soffian.
“We are in the process of amending our enactment on these kinds of species, to clarify certain requirements and make clear the status of these animals,” he added.
Earlier, Shavez said the Borneo Wildlife Ambassador Programme 2024 saw students focusing on the protection and conservation of some bird species, such as hornbills.
Among the activities held, he said were students having built five hornbill boxes which were donated to various places from Pulau Tiga in Kuala Penyu, to the Teck Guan Wildlife Corridor, and a park in Brunei.
Nature books related to Sabah and Borneo were also placed at Nook Cafe, Woo Cafe, October Coffee House and at tourism lodges, he added.
Other than that, hundreds of trees were planted in Telupid and Tawau, while local expert speakers such as Ron Pudin, president of the Sabah Birdwatchers Association, and Terrence Lim of Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia, gave insights on issues they specialised in.