Educating Kids about the Danger of Plastic Waste for Sea Turtles

Living by the waterfront does not guarantee that the people understand about the negative impact of plastic waste for sea turtle. Protection of Forest & Fauna (PROFAUNA) Indonesia, figured this out when we visited Sitiarjo village, Sumbermanjing district, Malang regency for an educational program on 3 July 2014. During the program attended by more than 100 children, PROFAUNA played some films about sea turtle conservation, had discussion, and engaged the kids to play games related to sea turtle.

edukasi penyu untuk anak-anakThe kids were so excited and active during all of the activities, particularly the films and games. Bayu Sandi and Swasti Prawidya Mukti, two activists of PROFAUNA who conducted the educational visit explained to the kids how dangerous plastic waste could be for the life af sea turtle. "Therefore, you must not throw away plastic waste just anywhere, because the waste most likely will end up on the ocean and harm the life of sea turtle," said Bayu Sandi.

The educational program was carried out in collaboration with Gatra Alam Lestari, a local community who is very concerned to the conservation of sea turtle in South Malang. The beaches of South Malang are habitats for several sea turtle species like the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate). However, the lives of those species are highly threatened by eggs poaching and irresponsible tourism.

© 2003 - ProFauna Indonesia

ProFauna Indonesia is an Indonesian society for the protection of
wild animals and their habitats