A study on the distribution, movement and growth of captive - raised rived Terrapins (Batagur Baska) and wild painted Terrapins (Callgur Borneoensis) in Setiu River

Abstract

The river terrapin (Batagur baska) in the Setiu River has been poorly studied and their numbers have been declining throughout the years. This study was conducted to examine whether head-started terrapins can adapt well to the environment after they have been kept in captivity for three to four years. Twenty 4 year-old river terrapins (average weight 3.75 ± 0.64 kg; 29.4 ± 2.0 cm for straight carapace length; 24.1 ± 1.5 cm for straight carapace width) and 50 three year olds (2.52 ± 0.48 kg; 25.7 ± 1.8 cm; 21.4 ± 1.7 cm) were released in July and August 2003 in Setiu River