River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan

This river terrapin conservation centre is located in Kampung Bota Kanan in the Perak Tengah district, 50km southwest of Ipoh city, Perak. It is situated near the right bank of the Perak River, covering a sandy area of over one hectare.

River terrapins belong to the reptile group, similar to sea turtles, softshell turtles, and tortoises. Their primary habitat is in brackish water. River terrapins can live to be 70 to 80 years old, with some records indicating they can live up to 100 years. Their size varies by gender, as females are larger than males. Female river terrapins can grow up to 50 cm, while males can grow to approximately 40 cm in carapace length. One difference between river terrapins and sea turtles is that they have webbed, clawed feet like tortoises. This allows them to walk on land or sand to lay eggs. River terrapins have small heads that can be retracted into their carapaces when threatened. Juvenile river terrapins usually have a more prominent vertebral keel on their carapace compared to adults. Young river terrapins are particularly vulnerable to predators such as monitor lizards, river crocodiles, and otters. The river terrapin conservation complex is equipped with various facilities to help preserve the species, including breeding ponds for adult females, a hatchery, and an exhibition room. It was established to address the threat of extinction and to conserve the river terrapin ecosystem. The centre includes an administrative building with offices, a lecture hall, a laboratory, and an exhibition foyer. There are also four adult ponds, one juvenile pond, and a hatchery site around the centre to house egg-laying adults, newly hatched terrapins, and for the incubation of eggs. Beyond serving as a popular tourism asset in Bota Kanan, the complex is also vital for the younger generation to learn about and conduct research on river terrapins.