The national palm oil company, Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group in South Papua Province, is building a research vessel named “Papua Lestari” to study the life of the pig-nosed turtle and the river ecosystem of its habitat. The construction of this research vessel is inspired by the HMS Endeavor, the first research ship in the world in 1768 that sailed to explore the Pacific Ocean in order to uncover Terra Australis Incognita or “the Unknown Southern Land. “The completion of this ship is part of the commitment to the Papua Conservation program initiated by TSE Group and IPB University since 2022.
This program aims to protect the right to life and increase public awareness of endemic animals. The “Papua Lestari” ship can accommodate five people to carry out activities inside it.In addition to the space for research equipment, this ship is also equipped with several facilities to facilitate the work of the researchers. This ship has become an important means for conducting aquatic biota research in Papua, especially the pig-nosed turtle.
With the presence of “Papua Lestari,” researchers are expected to carry out their activities more effectively, thereby improving the quality of their research. Director of TSE Group, Luwy Leunufna stated (April 29, 2025) that the research vessel “Papua Lestari” is essentially a facility provided by TSE Group, not only serving as a means of transportation for researchers but also as a symbol of spreading the message of conservation. “Papua Lestari was built to study the ecosystems in the rivers and swamps of Papua, including pig-nosed turtles, fish, snakes, and so on. “In addition, this research vessel can also serve as a symbol to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental conservation,” he explained.
The “Papua Lestari” program not only focuses on the conservation of the pig-nosed turtle but also on other endemic Papuan animals, such as the greater bird-of-paradise in Merauke and Boven Digoel, Southern Papua.
West Papua Now 