CEBU, Philippines – Protected area rangers from the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS) in Cebu recovered the remains of a 110-kilogram green sea turtle on Tuesday, December 17, along the shore area of the Santa Rosa Port. 

According to OIWS Protected Area Warden Cristino Patigdas, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local maritime police reported to them what seemed to be a dead animal floating near the port.

“When we got there, it was floating and smelled bad. It had been rotting out for quite some time,” Patigdas told Rappler.

Upon documentation, the rangers observed that the turtle’s shell had been damaged and appeared to have been dead for at least seven days. 

Patigdas added that the animal came from the Talima Marine Sanctuary, a known protected area and breeding ground for rare aquatic species.

Based on their stranding report, the turtle had incurred wounds which are suspected to have been caused by an accident with a ship’s propeller.

While the rangers were no longer able to confirm the sex of the animal, they confirmed that the turtle was around 84 centimeters long and 78 centimeters wide. It was laid to rest at the OIWS premises. fen

According to sea turtle advocacy group Sea Turtle Conservancy, adult green sea turtles can be between 83 and 114 centimeters in length, and can weigh around 110 to 190 kilograms. 

Green sea turtles are also considered the largest of the Cheloniidae family and mainly stay near coastline and protected shores, especially in areas with seagrass beds.

Endangered

Patigdas said that the rangers have been constantly monitoring the population of turtles in Olango Island, in line with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Pawikan Conservation Project.

According to the protected area warden, green sea turtles are under their constant watch as these animals are considered to be endangered.

Since 1982, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed green sea turtles as endangered species.

Green sea turtles are typically at risk due to commercial harvesting for their eggs and for food. Patigdas noted that some tribal communities, unaware of wildlife conservation laws, hunt the turtles.

Under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, it is illegal for anyone to kill and destroy wildlife species. Violators may be penalized with imprisonment of four to six years, and a fine of P50,000 to P500,000 if the animal killed is classified as endangered. – Rappler.com