KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: Endangered terrapins and other turtles should be protected under federal law.

Wildlife and National Parks Department deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir said currently there were no provisions under the Wildlife Act 1972 to protect these reptiles.

Only the painted terrapin is protected under the Fisheries Act. Terengganu, Kedah and Perak, had state laws protecting terrapins and turtles and she hoped other states too would enact similar laws.