Have you ever heard of the pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)? This unique species, with its distinctive pig-like snout and flipper-like limbs, is one of nature’s most intriguing creations. Found in the freshwater rivers and estuaries of northern Australia and southern New Guinea, this turtle is not only a marvel of evolution but also a symbol of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife conservation.
Snout and limbs Pig-nosed turtle
Endangered Species
The pig-nosed turtle is the only living member of its family, Carettochelyidae, making it a true evolutionary oddity and also listed as an Endangered species by the IUCN. But there is someone who is threatening the survival of this endangered species by collecting eggs from its nest: local communities.
Every year, female pig-nosed turtles emerge onto sandy riverbanks to lay their eggs. These nesting sites are often located on customary lands in Southern Papua, where indigenous communities have harvested turtle eggs for generations. For these communities, the eggs are a valuable resource, providing both food and income.
In regions like the Kao River, the collection of pig-nosed turtle eggs is a well-established tradition. Local residents, often from clans that hold customary rights to the land, are the primary harvesters. These individuals are not only skilled hunters but also experts in locating turtle nests hidden beneath the sand. Using generations of knowledge, they carefully dig up the eggs, ensuring that none are damaged in the process.
The white color of the shell indicates that the pig-nosed turtle eggs have been buried for several days due to the tides in the Kao River.
The Challenge of Sustainable Harvesting
Based on Papua Conservation Program team’s field survey and interview, In regions like the Kao River, it’s estimated that up to 69,000 pig-nosed turtle eggs are harvested each nesting season. Harvesters, collect every egg from the nests they find. While the primary focus is on the eggs, some adult turtles are also taken for personal consumption.
The position of the nest was discovered using an iron rod and pig-nosed turtle eggs taken from the nest.
Interestingly, the sale of pig-nosed turtles is not in the form of eggs but as hatchlings. This means that harvesters must incubate the eggs themselves, either at makeshift camps or in their villages. While this practice ensures a steady supply of hatchlings for the market, it also highlights the need for sustainable harvesting practices that prioritize conservation.
The Indonesian government had declared the pig-nosed turtle a protected species and recommended a national harvest quota of 10,000 in the form of eggs, with harvesting sites in Mimika and Asmat.
Only one company has been granted a permit to collect eggs from nature and incubate the eggs. There is a clear imbalance between the quota and the number of eggs collected by local people.
A Balancing Act: Tradition and Conservation
The pig-nosed turtle faces a unique challenge. On one hand, its eggs are an important resource for local communities, deeply tied to their cultural and economic practices. On the other hand, unchecked harvesting could threaten the species’ survival. So, how do we strike a balance?
A mechanism is needed to allow the community to engage in legal harvesting without compromising economic gain and conservation benefits. We also need to improve awareness. If communities can understand the value of this species in the ecosystem and the sense of stewardship, it may be possible to release half of the hatchlings back into the wild.
Final Thoughts
The pig-nosed turtle’s story is a reminder of the complex relationship between humans and nature. It challenges us to find ways to coexist with wildlife, respecting traditional practices while ensuring the survival of vulnerable species.
