Repopulating the Roti Snake-necked Turtle

Achieving conservation progress with WCS

Mandai Nature has been collaborating with Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) since 2016 to save this critically endangered species through species protection, habitat selection and community engagement, among others. Since then, several milestones have been made towards achieving the goal of establishing a viable wild population through reintroduction and effective management on Roti Island.  

In 2018, the turtle was officially recognised as a nationally protected species and in the following year, three lakes that will be used for reintroduction were granted Essential Ecosystem Area protection status by the Government of East Nusa Tenggara province. A head-starting management facility in Kupang was also constructed and completed. 

First-ever repatriation of the turtles

As a safeguard for the species, Singapore Zoo also houses the only assurance colony for the Roti Snake-necked Turtle in Asia, including individuals from breeding programmes in the US and Austria. In September 2021, 13 of these turtles made a landmark journey to their native country of Indonesia.  The first repatriation of its kind, this marked a significant milestone in ongoing conservation efforts for the recovery of the species’ wild population led by the Indonesia government with support from Mandai Nature, Singapore Zoo and WCS-IP. The turtles are housed at the head-starting facility in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, where they form the first structured conservation breeding programme located in Indonesia.  Mandai Nature continues to support the Indonesian government and WCS-IP in their efforts to strengthen community support through ongoing outreach visits to key village figures and training villagers to conduct community-based patrols around the lakes.