Blogathon nets funds for Malaysian turtle sanctuary

New Straits Times 29 Oct 09;

KUALA TERENGGANU: They may have had a pot of coffee ready but it was adrenaline that kept conservationists Prof Chan Eng Heng, Pelf Chen Nyok and Chang Kew Fong blogging around the clock.

It paid off well as they raised RM4,500 for the newly-established Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Setiu.

The blogathon was part of efforts to raise funds for the RM2.5 million complex aimed at conserving the species and to provide a site for research and outreach programmes.

TCC also aims to restore the depleted wild population of fresh water, terrestrial and marine turtles in the country, especially in the northern part of the state.

The blogathon, which started at 9pm on Sunday, recorded 700 hits.

"More importantly, we managed to generate interest among the public about turtles. We even had kids as young as 9-years-old participating," Chan, who is also TCC's co-founder, told the New Straits Times.

Chan said Max Gen Sdn Bhd, a vacation incentive service provider sponsored a four-night stay for two at a hotel in either Bali, Indonesia or Pattaya or Phuket in Thailand as well as a two-night stay for two at a hotel in either Langkawi, Genting Highlands, Pulau Perhentian, Penang, Port Dickson or Kuantan.

The winners will be announced today on the www.turtleconservationcentre.org

Related articles
Blogging to help save sea turtles in Malaysia New Straits Times Asia One 20 Oct 09 on wildsingapore news.