Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Royal turtle lays 80 eggs in Koh Kong

Royal turtle lays 80 eggs in Koh Kong

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Royal turtle hatched in 2021 named Steve at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre (KKRCC). WONDERS OF THE MEKONG

Royal turtle lays 80 eggs in Koh Kong

In 2022, a Royal turtle (Batagur affinis) at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Centre (KKRCC) has laid 80 new eggs which will soon hatch. This brings hope for environmentalists after only one of the 71 eggs laid last year hatched due to lack of conditions.

Som Sitha, Project Manager of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), told The Post on April 11 that Steve – a one-year-old royal turtle – was the only egg among the 71 eggs that hatched at the (KKRCC) back in 2021. It was named after “Steve”.

He said that Steve was named after Dr Steven G. Platt, an American herpetologist, in honour of his research work.

With support from Fisheries Administration, Platt was the first to rediscover the existence of the royal turtle, also known as southern river terrapin, in the Sre Ambel stream system in Sre Ambel district of Koh Kong Province in 1999-2000.

Steve was considered to be the lucky one out of 71 Royal Turtle eggs in light of the fact that the rest of them died. The eggs were the first ever laid in captivity at the Centre.

“The problem that caused all 71 turtle eggs to fail to hatch could have come from the young female turtle, perhaps a combined lack of nutrients with levels of protein and calcium, which are a source of sufficient conditions for healthy eggs and babies,” he said.

He added that in order for the turtle eggs to be good quality and actually hatch instead of die, the centre team had added high-protein and calcium-rich foods to all the turtles at the centre, especially the adult turtles.

However, he 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.

The nine turtle eggs could cause someone to conclude that there are currently nine turtles and in one to two years, there may be another 20 to 30 turtles.

“We have noticed that the eggs have good hard shells and up to 50 per cent of them show signs of embryo development. The centre hopes that the turtle eggs will successfully hatch soon,” he said.

He went on to say that the royal turtle is a species of tortoise that takes many years to grow up and breed.

According to studies of nature in Malaysia, the female turtle is only 20 to 25 years old before it can reproduce. But at the KKRCC, the royal turtle is only 14 to 15 years old before it can reproduce.

“The conservation of royal turtles is very difficult, both for breeding and for conservation work in the field, because it takes a long time for them to breed and grow up,” he said, adding that there are currently a total of 154 royal turtles in the KKRCC.

MOST VIEWED

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the