Study On The Diseases Of Fresh Water River Terrapin ( BAT AGUR AFFINIS) in Artificial Pond

• Main Author: Nur Ain Mat Yasin
• Format: Undergraduate Final Project Report
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://discol.umk.edu.my/id/eprint/6043/

The river terrapin Batagur affinis is a fresh water turtle which is distributed and inhabits that has In Malay of South Eastern Asia. The B affinis belongs to the order testudines/chelonians i.e reptile that has shell. In Malaysia, this species is found in large river with noticeable numbers in Perak, Terengganu and Bukit Pinang, Kedah River.Throughout the region the population of this animal has declined and river terrapin is currently listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. There are mane factors that lead to extinction of this species such as poaching, habitat destruction, pollution, diseases etc. Disease is one of the important factor that caused the death of river terrapin.Due to the declining of population, DWNP has established 3 Terrapin Conservation Centers in Malaysia such as Perak,Terengganu and Kedah in order conserve this animal. There are t"evv types ot external and nutritional diseases such as fungal infection. shell dis,eases and vitamins deficiencies. A study was carried' out on the diseases of fresh 'water river terrapin B affinis in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Centre, Perak. For this experiment 4 artificial tanks marked as A, II and C containing 10 baby (8 months old) terrapin in each tank and tank D containing 10 matured terrapin were observed to identify h addition 10 baby terrapin put in a separate tank as a control. The study period was from 28/12/2012 until 13/4/2013. Observations were carried out on the eye, shell, and skin of the animal. Weekly check up the animal and the measurement of the body weight, length and width of carapace and plastron were made to determine its growth, The infected terrapins were isolated and given compulsory treatment and observed, The infection rate was tank A 20%, B 30% C 20% and D 30% as well which was significantly important while the death of infected terrapins also one of the important findings where the death rate in tank A 100% B 50%, C 100% and in tank 0% was recorded. After the treatment, the cured terrapins were released into original tank. Dead terrapins then sent to Veterinary Research Institute of Perak. In our study it is found that for the conservation of terrapin and maintaining a good population in an artificial pond and disease control significantly important. This study would help in conservation of this animal,