Yet, there is little knowledge about them in Malaysia as they have hardly been researched or documented. This project is the first in the country to unveil the mystery of these endangered species. The project has gathered information on the species, population status, distribution and threats at Pulau Langkawi, Tioman, Redang and Perhentian. This 12-month pilot study will contribute to a better understanding of these mammals, which will help to promote more awareness of the threats they face, and ultimately, their protection from possible extinction. The Langkawi Archipelago is made up of 104 islands, of which Pulau Langkawi is the largest.
Corals fringing the islands support some of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
The islands are also premier holiday retreats, prompting rapid development to meet tourism needs and resulting in damaged coastal areas, dying coral reefs and significantly reduced aquatic life such as fishes and prawns. This project hopes to help protect the areas that are still intact and maintain the Archipelago as a hotspot of biodiversity. Apart from conserving the vast array of terrestrial and marine wildlife populations, it is also hoped that the tourism value of the islands can be sustained on a long-term basis. The Ma' Daerah Turtle Sanctuary Centre , set up in June 1999 in Terengganu, is the result of nearly a decade of partnership between the Department of Fisheries, BP Amoco and WWF Malaysia. The three partners have carried out various turtle and terrapin conservation projects at Ma' Daerah.