Repatriation of endangered turtles rescued in Singapore delayed

SINGAPORE – Wildlife rescue group ACRES had planned to send 30 endangered pig-nosed turtles in its care back to Indonesia in early 2026.

As at May, what would have been one of the group’s biggest and most ambitious repatriation efforts has not yet taken place.

ACRES, or the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, had been in the process of obtaining permits to send the turtles’ blood samples to Indonesia in December 2025 when it hit a roadblock, said its chief executive, Mr Kalaivanan Balakrishnan.

The blood samples were for genetic testing to determine where the turtles are originally from, which might then play a role in determining whether they would be released to the wild or used for captive breeding efforts in Indonesia, he added.

Pig-nosed turtles are freshwater turtles that inhabit rivers, streams and lagoons in Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

They are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which assesses the extinction risks of species. The turtles are also protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly regulates the trade of these reptiles.

It is illegal to keep pig-nosed turtles as pets in Singapore.

The 30 turtles in ACRES’ care were rescued in batches from 2009. Some were surrendered by pet owners, while others were found in places like Kallang River and East Coast Park.

“Repatriation efforts have taught me to be patient. I believe it’s just a matter of time before the turtles return,” said Mr Kalaivanan, without providing a timeframe.

ACRES chief executive Kalaivanan Balakrishnan with a pig-nosed turtle named Buddy.

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

The turtles are currently housed at ACRES’ wildlife rescue centre in Jalan Lekar.

The group has been trying to repatriate the turtles since the 2010s, but it did not have any established relationship with the Indonesian government then, said Mr Kalaivanan.

Since contacting the authorities there in 2024, it has been liaising with the National Parks Board (NParks), which oversees CITES regulations in Singapore, and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry to start the repatriation process, Mr Kalaivanan said.

ACRES has also secured sponsors to cover most of the repatriation costs, as well as conducted rehabilitation and enrichment activities to determine if the turtles are fit to survive on their own in the wild, he added.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, NParks said it is assisting ACRES’ efforts by liaising with the Indonesian authorities to obtain the relevant approvals for the repatriation, as well as coordinating efforts of multiple agencies for areas such as disease screening, biosecurity and logistics.

“NParks is also helping to ensure repatriation is carried out in accordance with international guidelines under CITES, which include measures to ensure that wildlife do not re-enter the illegal trade following their return,” said Mr How Choon Beng, NParks’ group director of wildlife management.

“Wildlife repatriation is one of the several options we explore for animals seized from illegal wildlife trade,” he said, highlighting other measures such as returning native species to suitable habitats in Singapore or donating the animals to wildlife rescue centres or zoos.

Mr How added that the health and welfare of the wildlife being repatriated and logistics such as transport and coordination with the relevant authorities are carefully considered.

Repatriation efforts can face challenges such as getting consent from the receiving country, which has to ensure that the repatriation contributes to conservation efforts and does not pose potential risks of disease introduction or disrupting ecosystems, he said.

He added: “Monitoring post-release of the repatriated animals to ensure their survival and that they do not re-enter the illegal wildlife trade can be a challenge as well.”

The entire process of the turtles’ repatriation is estimated to cost around $40,000, said Mr Kalaivanan.

Recognisable for their long, fleshy nostrils which resemble a pig’s snout, they are sought after in the international pet trade for their unique appearance. They are territorial in nature and can grow to about 70cm in shell length.

According to ACRES’ website, pig-nosed turtles in captivity require extremely clean living conditions to remain healthy and avoid fungal infections, making them unsuited to be kept as pets.

The wildlife rescue group has successfully repatriated several rescued animals over the last few years, including 51 Indian star tortoises.

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