WWF-Malaysia’s terrapin conservation project in Terengganu focused on nest protection, egg incubation, community engagement, and awareness-raising to support the long-term conservation for two critically endangered species:  the river terrapin in Setiu and painted terrapin in Kerteh The project strengthened on-the-ground conservation efforts by safeguarding nests, improving hatchery management, and engaging local communities to reduce key threats such as egg poaching and habitat disturbance. The project also prioritised securing immediate conservation gains while generating baseline data to inform adaptive management and future conservation planning.

Over the project period from mid-2024 to the end of 2025, 162 painted terrapin nests (1,835 eggs) and five river terrapin nests (86 eggs) were secured and incubated. The project achieved an 81% hatching success rate for painted terrapins, resulting in 1,482 eggs successfully hatched, while river terrapins recorded a 35% hatching success producing 16 hatchlings. Despite historical gaps in monitoring and on-going challenges related to egg collection, the project successfully secured all available eggs, preventing losses that would otherwise have been vulnerable to illegal collection and consumption. In parallel, 14 awareness activities and two capacity-building sessions were conducted, reaching more than 700 participants and strengthening public awareness, local capacity, and stewardship for terrapin conservation. Educational materials, including flyers and stickers which produced under this project were distributed, while hands-on learning sessions at the Kontena Tuntung gallery further enhanced public engagement and outreach.

Despite challenges such as historically low nesting numbers, restricted access to tendered beaches, and occasional inconsistencies in egg handover, the project maintained a continuous conservation presence at the sites. Donor support proved instrumental in maintaining monitoring and hatchery operations, enabling the protection of all available eggs during the project period, and strengthening collaboration with local communities and partner agencies. Overall, the project delivered measurable conservation outcomes, mitigated immediate threats to terrapins, and established critical baseline data to inform and support support long-term conservation efforts in Terengganu.