Sea turtles rescued off Medellin

CEBU, Philippines - Two sea turtles were rescued in the northern town of Medellin, Cebu and were likewise released to the wild.

The first pawikan, a green sea turtle scientifically known as Cheloniamydas, was captured by local fishermen in Barangay Mahawak. It measured 44 centimeters in length, 42 centimeters in width and estimated to weigh 10 kilograms.

According to a report at the Protected Area Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7, the protected herbivore sea animal was found by Virgilia Leyson and Alfred Hiweto.

Leyson and Hiweto on May 2 turned over the animal to the DENR, which subsequently released it to the wild on the same day. PAWCZMS decided to release the green sea turtle at Cordova Sea Port.

Incidentally, another sea turtle was also captured and released in the same town a few days back.

Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, in his personal Facebook page, posted photos of the actual release dated May 19.

“A sea turtle that was captured by a local fisherman was set free near the malfunctioning lighthouse at Hagnaya Bay by Mayor Ricky Rodriguez Ramirez and local bantay dagat,” read the caption of Ramirez’s post.

DENR-7 regional spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said the captured sea turtle was not reported to their office, specifically to the PAWCZMS.

Llamedo added that no communication was forwarded from Medellin officials to their agency informing them of the rescued sea turtle and its eventual release at Hagnaya Bay with the presence of the mayor.

The DENR official maintained that the only record they have of a turtle captured in Medellin is the one handed by two locals to DENR-7 and was released at Cordova Sea Port.

In a statement, DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo advised the people, especially those living near the coastal areas, not to harm, collect or kill sea turtles. 

Instead, he called on them to learn to preserve and protect turtles as they play a critical role in promoting ecological balance and enhancing biological diversity.

“Killing, destroying, inflicting injury, trading, collecting, hunting, and possessing of these critically endangered species is punishable under the wildlife resources conservation and protection act of 2001 or Republic Act No. 9174,” he said.

It was earlier reported that another adult green sea turtle was also accidentally captured by local fisherfolk in Barangay Bato, Toledo City just last May 11 and was released the following day.

 The captured and released turtle in Toledo City, included in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, was injured with four wounds in its shell and was bigger, measuring 96 centimeters in length with a width of 86 centimeters.

Green sea turtles are considered one of the largest sea turtles and the only herbivore among the different species. They are named for the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells.  (FREEMAN)