Australian environmentalist Norman Van't Hoff found a major catastrophe threatening the extinction of turtle reptile animals in several locations in Raja Ampat district, West Papua.
A number of photographs of the turtle slaughter which is a protected animal was obtained by Norman during a visit to a village in Raja Ampat district, precisely in the village of Sapokreng, Raja Ampat, Monday (1/5/2018). The photos were uploaded Norman, on Social media, Facebook that get a lot of responses from Netizen.
In the upload, according to Norman, he also wrote about his hope that the surrounding people can protect the islands of Bahari, Raja Ampat from the threat of extinction of rare animals such as turtles and others. Also protection against existing ecosystems under the sea of Raja Ampat islands.
"My Papuan friends, if you do not decide to protect Raja Ampat (turtle hunting), it will be destroyed, only you can save Raja Ampat," said Norman, while talking to Okezone in Waisai, Raja Ampat, Papua West, Wednesday (02/05/2018).
Norman admitted to being sad and concerned about seeing endangered animals such as turtles, (Tete ruga, the locals name for reptile animals), in the village of Sapokreng, he thought the animals were protected because of the danger of extinction threatening.
"I am sad to see endangered animals being killed in Saporkreng today.The reason these animals are protected by law is that they are in danger of extinction," Norman said.
Norman also said the condition of turtles in the past is very much, but with poaching the turtle will be less than the humans who inhabit the planet.
"In the past there were few people and many turtles, now, there are many people and very few turtles Ask the parents what it feels like when they were younger, are there more fish ... Are there many shells, many turtles? "Are there any changes," Norman said sadly.
According to Norman, although turtles are killed as a tradition of local people, it is a fatal error and can lead to the extinction of the protected animals. Norman also pointed out the tradition of a village community in Bali, which is no longer done by the local community because it was aware of the mistakes made.
"Just because something is a tradition in the past does not mean it's all right now.Lastly, the Balinese threw virgins to the volcano, but they do not do it now.
"Destroying nature means stealing from your children and grandchildren.If nature is destroyed your people will suffer.If you keep killing everything without rules or prohibitions, there will be no fish, no shells, no turtles," he explained
Norman also hoped for the awareness of local residents to no longer kill the turtles for any reason. Especially until the turtle is marketed. According to him there are many ways to make money that is by offering the beauty of nature Raja Ampat for the tourists.
"If you do not care about nature at least think about money.The future in Raja Ampat is tourism and people come to Raja Ampat to see nature.You do not have to kill a turtle or sell a coconut crab to survive, but you need tourism for your island economy to survive, "he said.
In Bahari Island, Raja Ampat regency, is the most beautiful area and has been famous to the corners of the world, let alone the beauty under the sea. If you can ask, who does not know the Raja Ampat Bahari Island, ranging from Waigeo to Misol. Of course most people know the two islands. Raja Ampat nautical beauty is one of the best in Indonesia. Especially enter the area of the world's coral triangle or coral triangle. Making Raja Ampat has a cluster of coral reefs that number hundreds of species.
Like the belly of the earth, Raja Ampat's underwater wealth is also being exploited. Which has long been overexploited is turtles. In fact, these turtles become animals that are protected by law. The local government and all relevant agencies are expected to provide guarantees for the protection of turtles in the district of Bahari Raja Ampat.