'Rahayu' returns home to Malaysia

'Rahayu' is going back home today after being in good hands here in Singapore for almost 16 months.

'Rahayu', a Malayan Turtle was reportedly found crossing a road in Lim Chu Kang with a fish hook lodged in its mouth in October 2015.

She was rescued by a driver who then brought her to ACRES or Animal Concerns Research and Education Society of Singapore.

It is not known how she made her journey to Singapore.

"It is not easy to send these creatures home but the Malaysian Wildlife Department would be receiving 'Rahayu' in Johor and will reintroduce her back into her world," said Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in his Facebook posting today.

Tan has also posted four photos and a video while he was helping 'Rahayu' for its journey back to Malaysia.

"Meet Rahayu. She is a 30 kg fully grown Malayan Turtle and is not a native species here," he wrote.

"It appears likely she was kept as a pet and abandoned. This species is endangered and is also sought after for the meat.

"We can all help by not generating demand for exotic and endangered pets, provide info where relevant and raise awareness," he further wrote.

Meanwhile, Channel News Asia reported that the endangered Malaysian giant turtle has been sent back to Malaysia to get a second chance at living in the wild, quoting ACRES.

The report said the turtle is the first live reptile to be repatriated by ACRES.

It will be handed over to local authorities in Johor, and will be released in a protected nature reserve in the northern part of Malaysia.

Before repatriating an animal, the report said ACRES has to determine if it is fit to be released into the wild and apply for permits to transport the animal across borders.

The whole process could take up to one-and-a-half months, the non-profit organisation's deputy chief executive Kalai Balakrishnan was quoted as saying.

"We need to work with the authorities in the country we're sending the animals back to. To negotiate how we want to send them back, and whether the animal will be released eventually," said Balakrishnan. - BERNAMA