Jakarta — Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni led the release of 20 Rote Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) into their natural habitat at Lake Ledulu, Rote Ndao Regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, October 22. The event marked a major step in Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to restore the population of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered turtles.
“Today, we are jointly releasing 20 Rote turtles. Their critical conservation status indicates that their natural population is on the brink of extinction. Therefore, the government has designated the Rote turtle as a protected species under Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. 106 of 2018,” said Minister Raja Antoni at the release site on Tuesday.
The turtles, which are endemic to Rote Island, underwent a rigorous rehabilitation process before being reintroduced to the wild. After a week in quarantine at PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama’s facility, they were observed for three months to assess their health and natural behaviours before being moved to habituation enclosures at Lake Ledulu and Lake Lendo Oen.
Minister Raja Antoni said that protecting the Rote turtle symbolises the protection of Indonesia’s natural heritage. “Protecting Rote is the same as protecting Indonesia; without the Rote snake-necked turtle, there would certainly be no Indonesia either,” he said, adding that the species forms part of the nation’s unique wealth.
Listed among the 25 rarest turtles in the world, the Rote Island snake-necked turtle’s conservation is considered a national priority. The release was conducted according to strict animal-welfare standards and involved a wide range of partners, including NTT Natural Resources Conservation Office (BBKSDA NTT), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), local government, community groups, PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama, and Vantara Nature Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.
“From the small lakes in Rote, we learn that conservation is not the work of a handful of people, but a joint effort to ensure that sustainable development truly favours nature,” Minister Antoni concluded. (nsh)
Banner photo: Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni led the release of 20 Rote Island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) into their natural habitat at Lake Ledulu, Rote Ndao Regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, October 22, 2025. Source: Forestry Ministry
