Rahayu is a Malaysian giant freshwater turtle whose species are one of the many thinning out all over the world due to demand by traders and fine-dining restaurants in East Asia. Back in 2015, a driver spotted her attempting to cross the road and, upon closer inspection, discovered she had a fish hook lodged in her mouth. It didn’t take much to load her up on his vehicle and swiftly deliver her to the doorstep of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).
As the critter isn’t a native species here, it’s assumed that the turtle was kept as a pet and abandoned when it got too big to take care of — this creature’s weight can reach 50 kg, and its carapace can grow up to 80cm. It’s considered a vulnerable species in peninsular Malaysia, and it’s endangered in Indonesia.
After the turtle spent more than a year in rehabilitation, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin graced the momentous event by joining ACRES in repatriating Rahayu back to her native homeland, where she’ll be taken in by the Malaysian Wildlife Department and subsequently released back into the wild.
“We can all help by not generating demand for exotic and endangered pets, provide info where relevant and raise awareness,” Mr Tan said in his statement on Facebook.
Godspeed Rahayu.
