Developing Collegial Relationships to Address Hurdles in Ex Situ Turtle Conservation on an Indonesian University Campus

Building collegial international relationships is an important aspect of conservation and conservation education. The relationship relies on researchers understanding the local context of the conservation project and the sociocultural perspectives of all partners. Therefore, we situated our case study within sociocultural theory. Our case study focuses on the relationships and project work which developed between a biologist/science educator at the University of Bengkulu in Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia, and a science education professor at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA, who shared longtime interests in herpetology. Employing the sociocultural perspective, we describe the background of each University group leader and how their previous experiences led to the development of a partnership focused on turtle conservation. In this case study, we seek to understand the social and cultural development of the researchers’ relationship as they teamed to address the ex situ conservation challenges of working with terrestrial and semiaquatic turtles. An examination of the researchers’ partnership provides a framework for the analysis of the work accomplished and remaining and offers insights to others interested in collaborative international conservation projects.

Status, Trends, and Potentials of Turtle Conservation in Bali: A Mini Review

Sea turtles in Bali has been exploited excessively, which caused decrease in population, and this issue has placed sea turtles threatened to extinction. This review article aimed to provide information regarding the status, trends, and potential of sea turtles in Bali. Information given in this article is vital to ensure reliable knowledge not to only understand our current situation, but also to increase efficiency in reliant to the problem sea turtles face. The literature study method is used to write this review paper, namely by accessing a number of research paper published nationally and internationally. It was explained that the status of sea turtles is known to be endangered and law enforcement is not sufficient overcoming the problem. Conservation trends such as nurturing hatchlings have shown to not only help restore the population of sea turtles, but also to bring economic benefits to the conservation sites and the people. Potentials of ecotourism and DNA Barcoding has shown to be effective to benefit the people economically and increase the efficiency of law enforcement and conservation. Solutions and methods of improvement such as ecotourism and DNA Barcoding explained in this article is practical for Bali to adapt, so that sea turtle conservation is capable to overcome its status and incline to its potential.

Suitability Analysis of Habitat and Ecotourism of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Development of Turtle Conservation Strategy at Taman Kili-Kili Beach

Taman Kili-Kili Beach is designated as an Essential Ecosystem Area (KEE). 188/39/KPTS/013/2020. According to the Supervisory Community Group (Pokmaswas), in 2011-2020, there was an increase in broodstock as many as 52 turtles, and the eggs saved as many as 3323 eggs. However, since 2013 Pokmaswas data shows a decrease in the population of hawksbill and green turtles in turtle conservation areas, which is thought to be caused by climate change, global warming, and animals. This study aims to analyze environmental baselines, turtle populations, and the value of turtle ecotourism (ecological, economic values) and develop strategies to support turtle conservation at Taman Kili-Kili Beach Trenggalek Regency. The results of the adjustment of nesting habitats and turtle ecotourism, calculation of the Habitat Conformity Index (IKH) of turtle nesting, IKH = 77.77%, which belongs to the category (S1) is very suitable to be used as a conservation area and turtle nesting habitat. While the results of the calculation of the Turtle Ecotourism Conformity Index (IKW), IKW = 84.93%, which is included in the (S1) category, which is very suitable for use a turtle tourism area. The strategy for developing turtle ecotourism is in quadrant II, meaning that it utilizes the strengths possessed in the turtle conservation area by minimizing the threats that it will experience.

Short Communication: Antimicrobial properties in cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Praja RN, Yudhana A, Haditanojo W, Oktaviana V. 2021. Short Communication: Antimicrobial properties in cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Biodiversitas 22: 3671-3676. There were several speculations regarding the main purpose of sea turtle cloacal fluid, such as lubrication during egg deposition, which could help reduce egg speed as they are dropped in nesting sand, or contain antimicrobial properties to protect their eggs from pathogenic microorganisms. However, the exact purpose of this fluid which is mucous-like in consistency remains unknown. This study aimed to identify antimicrobial properties in the cloacal fluid of olive ridley sea turtles. Cloacal fluid samples were collected during nesting season in Banyuwangi City coastal areas, East Java Province, Indonesia. Moreover, the Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk method recorded antimicrobial properties and tested against several bacterial colonies collected from sand in natural nesting chambers. This preliminary study also concluded that antimicrobial properties were recorded when presented against several bacteria colonies from natural nesting sands namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Bacillus spp. Furthermore, the present study should be expanded to include other bacteria and fungi colonies. In addition, results from the present study could be used to develop methods in creating antibiotics similar to those found naturally in natural nesting areas to prevent microorganism contamination and globally increase hatchling success, which has a greater impact to support sea turtle conservation efforts as endangered species.

An Examination of an Opportunity for Collaboration Among Stakeholders to Promote Conservation in Sea Turtle Tourism in Gilli Trawangan, Indonesia

All species of sea turtles are globally endangered, largely due to the impact of unsustainable tourism. Gili Trawangan, a small island, depends on marine tourism and has an abundant population of sea turtles. Stakeholder collaboration is often used to promote sustainable tourism development and sea turtle conservation. This study examined stakeholder collaboration to promote conservation in sea turtle tourism in small islands by exploring a case study in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2010. It applied qualitative research methods to expand the knowledge of collaboration in the development of sustainable tourism in small islands. Stakeholder analysis helped to reveal barriers to and influences on tourism development to help promote sea turtle conservation and protect the livelihoods of local communities. Key findings are that education, financial considerations, management structure, regulatory conflict, a disconnect to the island, and stakeholder conflict are factors that influenced stakeholder collaboration in Gili Trawangan.

An Examination of an Opportunity for Collaboration Among Stakeholders to Promote Conservation in Sea Turtle Tourism in Gilli Trawangan, Indonesia

All species of sea turtles are globally endangered, largely due to the impact of unsustainable tourism. Gili Trawangan, a small island, depends on marine tourism and has an abundant population of sea turtles. Stakeholder collaboration is often used to promote sustainable tourism development and sea turtle conservation. This study examined stakeholder collaboration to promote conservation in sea turtle tourism in small islands by exploring a case study in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2010. It applied qualitative research methods to expand the knowledge of collaboration in the development of sustainable tourism in small islands. Stakeholder analysis helped to reveal barriers to and influences on tourism development to help promote sea turtle conservation and protect the livelihoods of local communities. Key findings are that education, financial considerations, management structure, regulatory conflict, a disconnect to the island, and stakeholder conflict are factors that influenced stakeholder collaboration in Gili Trawangan.