In Negros Govt to sue if turtles are found maltreated

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines– Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer II (CENRO II) Mario Aragon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental has ordered another probe into the alleged inhumane conditions of green sea turtles at a supposed marine animals zoo in Zamboanguita town, about 30 minutes drive south of this capital.

The inspection and investigation will determine whether the operators of the facility who have been granted legitimate Certificates of Wildlife Registration for the turtles have complied with recommendations earlier made to improve the living conditions of these endangered species, he said.

Aragon sent Oscar Mongcopa, CENRO II chief of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Sector, on Wednesday to the oceanarium in Zamboanguita following fresh reports reaching his office last week that at least four green turtles, commonly known as “pawikan”, were allegedly subjected to harsh conditions.

According to the CENRO II chief, the results of Wednesday’s inspection and investigation on the plight of the green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, would determine the type of legal action his office would recommend to the DENR in Region 7 if warranted.

The Chelonia mydas is listed as an endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Aragon disclosed that sometime in November last year, his office also received a complaint via email regarding the sad plight of the green turtles, prompting him to send his staff to inspect the facilities and conduct an investigation on whether the persons responsible for the turtles are still capable of supporting these animals.

Otherwise, if they cannot support the turtles and give them the proper care and attention, “we will have to institute legal measures”, said Aragon.

“We thought there would be improvements after that inspection and investigation, only to know the same thing is happening today,” said Aragon. 

Concerned individuals have reported that the turtles of different sizes are in a small concrete holding tank that could barely give them enough space to swim around. Furthermore, the turtles are prone to “human abuse” with visitors coming to the facility and poking them, touching their shells and tugging at their flippers.

Aragon has assured that they will find ways to keep the turtles in better conditions. These turtles are believed to be in captivity for more than a decade already.

He also welcomes the interest and intent of individuals and groups who have offered to help prepare the turtles for when the time comes to reintroduce them to the wild or at least find a new and better home for them.

But first, the CENRO II and the DENR-7 must start with the legal process first of retrieving the turtles from their current owners if they are proven incapable of having these marine animals in their custody. — (FREEMAN)