RRI.CO.ID, Rote Ndao - Student volunteers from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participating in the 2026 KKN-PPM ( Community Service Program - Community Empowerement Learning) Cakrawala Rote program have partnered with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Indonesia to conserve the critically endangered Rote snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) in southern East Nusa Tenggara.

Executing their program across Daiama Village in Landu Leko Subdistrict and Serubeba Village in Rote East Subdistrict, the student delegation combined environmental education with active habitat restoration at Lake Ledulu. The conservation initiative targeted severe ecological pressures, including illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and invasive species threats, by conducting primary school workshops, installing informative perimeter signage, releasing turtles back into protected environments, and filming an educational documentary.

To safeguard the species' native feeding grounds, students assisted WCS personnel in eradicating toxic Asian common toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus). While the toads serve as a potential food source, their toxic skin poses a fatal hazard to the endemic turtles. Local leaders and village residents actively participated in the field operations, citing increased awareness regarding regional biodiversity protection.

Local residents, community leaders, and student coordinators emphasized that multi-stakeholder collaboration and direct community engagement are crucial to securing the survival of endemic species.

"Our collaboration with the WCS Indonesia Program focuses not only on saving individual animals, but also on habitat preparation, strengthening protection, and conducting community outreach around the lake habitat," UGM KKN-PPM Student Representative Lintang Andwyna said in Rote Ndao on Thursday, August 6, 2026, as quoted on UGM's official website.

She highlighted the specific ecological management measures undertaken to neutralize invasive threats. Furthermore, the educational signposts installed at Lake Ledulu inform residents that this protected endemic animal must be preserved.

WCS Indonesia Rote Branch Coordinator Kinan detailed the biological uniqueness and conservation status of the species.

"The Rote snake-necked turtle is recognized as one of the rarest turtles in the world, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, its distinctive long neck resembling a snake is not only a biological uniqueness, but also a vital part of Indonesia's biodiversity wealth, particularly in the Rote Island region," Kinan noted on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Local resident Victoria expressed appreciation for the educational workshops conducted in the village. She said that the activity greatly helped residents understand the importance of preserving the long-necked turtle.

"Until now, we were unaware that this species required protection and a preserved habitat. We hope such activities continue so that the community grows increasingly mindful of the environment," she expressed.

Head of the local hamlet Heferdi affirmed the practical value of the new educational boundary markers. "The installed information signboards are extremely beneficial because they provide guidance and information regarding the conservation area, with these signposts, residents and visitors can easily recognize the conservation site and understand the importance of participating in preserving the long-necked turtle," Heferdi said. ***