Piku Biodiversity Network

The Piku Biodiversity Network is a non-governmental organisation which primarily seeks to conserve aquatic species in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It facilitates community-led conservation to drive bottom-up conservation of the endangered pig-nosed turtle and other species such as sharks, rays and sawfish.

The pig-nosed turtle. Image: Piku Biodiversity Network

The Piku Biodiversity Network leads the Kikori Turtle Rangers project that connects groups of young individuals from seven tribes to work on community-based conservation. Their role as conservation champions is important as it enables the conservation of the endangered pig-nosed turtle, which holds cultural significance in the country.  

The project engages young people on a journey, that most have been a part of as a child, to participate in education programmes as well as turtle monitoring and incubation. This work led to an increase in pig-nosed turtle egg survival rates and hatchings. The Piku Biodiversity Network managed to build a strong network of communities along the Kikori River that sustainably own and manage their resources. 

It wants to build capacity by collaborating with universities and other educational institutions in research training. This provides an opportunity for trainees, Kikori secondary, university and graduate students, and members of society to engage with the work of the Piku Biodiversity Network in protecting the pig-nosed turtle. 

The organisation spread awareness through publications on the conservation, management of wildlife and other environmental issues by using various forms of media such as the radio and books. In 2012, Piku Biodiversity Network successfully released a Piku on Radio program and a children’s book The Adventures of Piggy on the Kikori River, increasing its global reach and further empowering the local community to engage in conserving the pig-nosed turtle species by reaching the younger generation.