The island of Pulau Upeh off the Malaysian State of Malacca has only one small sandy beach. But it happens to be one of the most important hawksbill nesting sites in the country.

Although the tiny island (seven-acres or 0.03km2 in size) is for the moment uninhabited, it is not entirely out of reach of turtle egg poachers. Nor has it fully escaped the rapid coastal development which threatens all that remains of turtle beaches in Malacca.

Malaysia, itself, was until recently one of only seven countries in the world where leatherback turtles landed in many numbers, but no more. Now the struggle is on to save the country's beautiful but critically endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), with its golden brown, exquisitely patterned shell, which still nests on the beaches of the Malacca Straits — the second most important nesting area in the country.

Labels: Reptiles

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