Turtle Is My Friend!

Josua Muakula-An 18 year old boy and he is the youngest turtle monitor in Fiji. He belongs to a team of 25 which have taken on the massive challenge of protecting endangered marine turtles. Now, why would a teenager get so involved in such a project, especially when he grew up eating turtle meat? *BIG QUESTION MARK*

© Theresa F

In his words, because: “Turtle is my friend!”

It’s been around two years since Muakula last ate turtle meat—a tradition in his culture. He came to the decision during a WWF turtle monitor training in a nearby village. Muakula realized how defenseless the marine turtles were and it stirred deep regret in him. After growing up hunting turtles, he was now determined to help save them.

“I wanted to stand up for them because I found out how their numbers kept on going down,” he said. “I know that if we don’t do something about it, future generations will never get to see a turtle and knowing the important role the turtle plays in our marine environment helped reinforce my decision.”

This choice to stop consuming turtles was not an easy transition for Muakula. His entire life has been closely intertwined with the sea, and that included harvesting turtles.

Josua Muakuala stated that, the WWF training changed his life. He looked into the eyes of a marine turtle after the training and felt a deep connection, as if the turtle was asking him for protection.

Now Muakula advocates for the species, sharing the turtle ‘gospel’ wherever and whenever he can, especially with his peers. Though he was harassed and challenged for his decision to stop consuming turtles, he stayed firm in his decision and tried to convince others to follow. Eventually, some of his peers listened and wanted to become turtle monitors themselves.

“They know me, and they see the change and they wonder about it, so I work hard to impress upon them the importance of turtles, not just as a source of food, but also the role it plays in the sea.”

“We wouldn't enjoy a lot of the other fishes that we earn an income from if we didn't have turtles,” he added. “Now like me they want to be turtle friends for life.”

An 18 years old boy had spent his life to protect and save turtles, how about you? J

Come and join us to save turtles! Partnering with Microsoft and in support of WWF!

Event: Ring A Life

Date: 16^th – 18^th July 2014  

Venue:  TARUC,  Canteen 2 Concourse

Written by,

Teo Sze Yien