By: Andhiani M. Kumalasari

Smuggling of pig-snouted turtles (Carettochelys insclupta)like there's no end in sight. From the survey results of the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) - Papua and reports from the community, it is estimated that every year around 200,000 turtles are smuggled from Asmat and surrounding areas. (Carettochelys insclupta)

Head of BKSDA - Papua, M.G. Nababan explained, "on February 15, 2016, security officers of Mozes Kilagin Airport - Timika successfully thwarted the smuggling of 3,230 pig-snouted turtles. While on February 21, 2016, smuggling of 15,000 turtles was foiled at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. We will release these turtles to their habitat in Timika and Asmat." Nababan added that this act of smuggling violates Article 21 paragraph (2) of Law No. 5/1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems, with a penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rp.100 million. .
The Pig-snouted Tortoise is one of the animals that has a slow growth cycle, it takes an average of 10 years to become an adult tortoise that is ready to breed. Ecologically, the Pig-snouted Tortoise is an important part of its habitat ecosystem, as it acts as a water pollinator through its feces. This animal also plays a role in spreading the seeds of various types of plants in coastal areas and wetlands, which indirectly helps preserve these plants which also provide benefits as a green belt to prevent abrasion and flooding.

According to the results of research and studies conducted by WWF together with the Forestry Research and Development Center -Manokwari for the habitat and population of the Pig-snouted Turtle in the Asmat district found that since 2008 until now, the Pig-snouted Turtle population is evenly distributed in river and swamp areas in Asmat Regency. There were nine nesting sites in the Catalina and Aijuk River areas with habitat areas ranging from 2,150 m2 - 140,800 m2 and 1 - 88 nests were found with the number of eggs ranging from 9 - 1584 eggs per nest. Furthermore, in 2012, 76 nesting sites were also found in the Catalina and Siret Rivers and five nesting sites in the Vriendschap River, with an average nesting of one turtle ranging from 9 to 27 eggs with very limited conditions for the number of eggs that hatched.

Based on the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Pig-snouted Tortoise is included in Appendix II, which includes endangered species, which can still be utilized, but its utilization must be determined through quotas. The quota is based on adequate information about the population and distribution of these animals and accompanied by a study that utilizing them will not threaten their population in nature. The World Conservation Organization (IUCN) lists the Pig-snouted Tortoise on the IUCN Vulnerable Red List.