Ricoh Malayisa staff recently showed their concern for the environment by taking part in a beach cleaning activity at the Padang Kemunting Turtle Hatchery in support of the critically endangered turtle and terrapin populations in Malacca.
The beach cleaning activity was organized by Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, WWF Malaysia, the National Conservation Trust, and the Malacca Fisheries Department.
About 50 Ricoh Malaysia staff immersed themselves in turtle and terrapin conservation for the day.
Some of the activities carried out included a briefing and video presentation on marine turtles, a tour of the turtle hatchery, a questions and answer session with conservation experts, and a gotong-royong to clean the turtle ponds and hatchery area.
Ricoh's Managing Director Lim Eng Weng also presented RM 10,000 to WWF Malaysia's National Programme Director Dr. Dionysius Sharma in support of WWF-Malaysia's turtle and terrapin conservation projects in Malacca.
The Hawksbill turtle and Painted terrapin populations in Malacca constitute one of the largest nesting populations in Peninsular Malaysia.
These reptiles have been on the decline due to over-harvesting of eggs for human consumption, loss of habitat, getting caught in fishing gear, and water pollution.
WWF-Malaysia, together with the Malacca Fisheries Department is working to reverse the population decline through proper hatchery management, community education and improved legislation.
"Environmentally responsible companies like Ricoh are helping to make a real difference to nature conservation by taking action and not just talking," said Dr. Sharma.
