Nature Alms In Nagaraja Turtle Conservation

Every creature has its own purpose. Some look fierce, but it protects it territory. Some look weak, but it keeps the surroundings alive. Nothing exists in vain, all creature made to keep the nature ecosystem. One of the sea ecosystem keeper creatures is turtle. If there is a sea that have turtles in it, it means the sea still have the clean and natural water and a lot of fish. Therefore, turtle become a protected animal and regulated in Law No. 5 of 1990.

If you go to Cilacap, you definitely will know Pamtai Teluk Penyu located not far from Cilacap downtown. Actually, there are still some turtles at Cilacap. This showed by turtle footprints and egg nest trace and it even as far as Pantai Jetis, a beach that borders Kabupaten Kebumen.

But we nearly can’t never find a turtle. People even sell the turtle egg to just anyone before it hatches. This kind of situation made some people in Desa Karangbenda, Kecamatan Adipala do some preventive action to save and conserve turtles in Cilacap.

This place is called ‘Konservasi Penyu Nagaraja’ or Nagaraja Turtle Conservation located in the area of Pantai Sondong. So, apart from seeing turtles, the visitor can also enjoy the gorgeous Pantai Sondong.

The turtles in Nagaraja Turle Conservation are lekang or lepidochelys olivacea. There are 33 tukik or baby turtles, and 4 adult turtles as for now. Hundred of turtles had been released to its own habitat and this will continue to grow over time because one turtle can lay around 100 eggs.

With this conservation, is expected in protecting sea ecosystem and conserve environment, be the tourism icon of Cilacap and education centre about turtles, and turning the economy wheels for the people. Maybe there is no direct benefit for the people in terms of material, but the long-term benefits will be greater for all of us.

There is no entry fee to get in to this conservation. But visitors can give donation that later will be use for the turtles’ necessities. The turtle will be fed with clams, prawns, squid and fish. The water used for turtles must also be seawater and change regularly everyday which costs money to do it all. The use of natural ingredients is intended so the turtles can easily adapt to their habitat later when they are released.

Nagaraja Turle Conservation is open every Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can learn about turtle, from egg until how they are released and visitors also can participate in releasing turtles. There is age provision for the turtle that can be released and also terms of time in releasing turtles.

Turtle are not allowed for trade, either egg, tukik (baby turtle), or adult turtle. So if you found any turtle egg nest or adult turtle, please report it to the conservation or related organizations.