Jamursba Medi Turtle Beach
- Located along the northernmost shores of Irian Jaya's Bird's Head region, the Jamursba Medi area is one of the world's major nesting sites for the endangered leatherback turtle. Although informally recognized as a conservation area, it has not yet bee
n formally gazetted. This lack of legal status has hampered the development of a firm management plan to protect the area as a wildlife refuge.
Besides the leatherback turtle, some of the other species found here include deer, tree kangaroos, cuscus, cockatoos and the southern cassowary. Many of these species are endangered and protected by Indonesian law.
Poaching and the eating of turtle eggs by wild pigs are the main threats to the marine turtles here. Eggs are taken from their nests and adult turtles are
slaughtered for their meat.
WWF has worked with the local communities to reduce turtle and egg poaching by patrolling the beach area. Guard posts have been erected along the beach and protective barriers have been built around many turtle nests. WWF has also conducted a public educa
tion campaign. The result: the offtake of turtle eggs is being substantially reduced to hopefully sustainable reproduction levels.
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