Abstract: Current records of nesting females for both species, Batagur baska and Callagur borneonsis, show a serious decline in numbers within the last decade. Both species are listed among the 25 most endangered turtles by the Turtle Suvival Alliance (TSA), which set their target to taking them off the dinner table, thus maintaining chelonian species over the long term and providing maximum future options for the recovery of wild populations.

This project will study the variation among the nesting female population to obtain baseline data for further research using morphometric and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) techniques. Females ultimately govern the reproductive output of a population, so knowledge of female dispersal and stock structure would be extremely important in defining management priorities. This will be the first morphometric study of nesting females in Malaysia. Studies on genetic and morphometric variation are important in stock identification and for conducting future conservation programs such as relocation and reintroduction.