Steve-the Lucky Royal Turtle
Publication Date: 08 April 2022
Source: WoM
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Meet Steve, a 1-year-old Southern river terrapin that was the only egg among 71 eggs that hatched at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre (KKRCC) back in 2021.
Steve was named after Dr. Steven G. Platt, an American herpetologist, in honor of Platt’s research work. Dr. Platt was the first to record the Cambodian Royal Turtle, the Southern river terrapin, in the Sre Ambel stream system in Sre Ambel District, Koh Kong Province in 1999.
Mr. Som Sitha, Project Manager of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), stated that “Steve was considered to be the lucky one out of seventy-one Royal Turtle eggs. The eggs were the first ever laid in captivity at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre.” Mr. Som Sitha explained that the poor hatching result was potentially caused by the age of the female turtle (barely mature) or lack of nutrition. He confirmed that high levels of protein and calcium are necessary to produce healthy eggs and proper embryo development.
Hatching turtle eggs is a somewhat new experience for the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre. However, Mr. Som Sitha said that since Steve hatched, there has been quite a bit of promise for more hatchlings. So far this year, the Centre has received nine new nests that hold a total of 80 eggs. “We have noticed that the eggs have good hard shells and up to 50% of them show signs of embryo development. The center hopes that the turtle eggs will successfully hatch soon,” said Som Sitha.
The Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre was established in 2016 by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with the Fisheries Administration, the Mandai Nature of Singapore, and funds received from various institutions including the European Union under the Anti-wildlife trafficking Partnership Project, the US Forest Service, the Rainforest Trust, the Turtle Survival Alliance, and other private donors. Currently, there are a total of 154 Royal Turtles in the Reptile Conservation Centre.
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