Endangered turtle freed in Sibugay town

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -- An endangered green sea turtle was sent back to its natural habitat after completing a six-day treatment at the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here.

Governor Wilter Palma and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) officials supervised on Friday the release of the 12-kilogram female green sea turtle at Palid Wharf, Barangay Magdaup, this town.

“I observed that she knew she’ll be released today back into her habitat because she is very active. She immediately dived when freed to the sea,” said Matias Ian Bau, agricultural technologist of the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Bau assisted Dr. Efren Davin, the provincial veterinarian, in the surgery on Wednesday that saw the removal of two fishing hooks from its throat.

Considered as an endangered species, the turtle was accidentally hooked by a crew of a fishing boat while on fishing venture last week in the sea waters of this town.

Measuring about 50 centimeters long, the turtle “was in trouble” when brought by DENR personnel to the provincial veterinarian office for medication.

The green sea turtle is among five of seven turtle species in the world that can be found in the Philippines.

The other species found in the Philippines are hawksbill, loggerhead, olive ridley, and leatherback.

Bau appealed to the public, especially fishermen, to refrain from catching turtles. (PNA)