Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno are among the few waters in Indonesia that are still populated by turtles. Turtles are a protected species due to their declining population. As a rare marine animal, turtles are endangered and listed in the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix I. In an effort to protect turtles from extinction, the Indonesian government issued Government Regulation No. 7 of 1999 concerning the Conservation of Protected Plant and Animal Species.

If you realize, the greatest threat to the survival of turtles still comes from human behavior. People often exploit turtle eggs, consume their meat, and trade these creatures. Furthermore, littering the ocean and building protective walls on the beaches where turtles lay their eggs can disrupt their lives.

However, there are also natural threats in the turtles’ lives that come from the food chain cycle in the ecosystem, such as monitor lizards and crabs that frequently consume turtle eggs and hatchlings on the beach. Additionally, when in the sea, young turtles also have to contend with groupers and sharks, their main predators. It’s no wonder that out of hundreds of turtle eggs, only a couple might survive these threats to adulthood.

In order to safeguard the survival of turtles, we must understand the importance of conservation and efforts to preserve this species. Various actions can be taken, such as refraining from using turtle eggs and meat, avoiding littering the ocean, and not engaging in activities on nesting beaches. Through sustained conservation efforts, we can help preserve the lives of turtles and appreciate the presence of this rare species in nature. In Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, in particular, you can witness turtle conservation sites dedicated to preserving their existence.