PROTECTION BOOSTED.
Hatchlings placed inside styrofoam in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte. Concerned officials in Eastern Visayas have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to step up conservation efforts of marine turtles in Southern Leyte after reports of frequent nesting in coastal villages in the past two years. (Photo courtesy of Association of Government Information Officers Southern Leyte)
TACLOBAN CITY -- Concerned officials in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to step up conservation efforts of marine turtles in Southern Leyte after reports of frequent nesting in coastal villages in the past two years.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said in a meeting Tuesday that a dive resort in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte attempted to protect sea turtle eggs, but they were not successful due to lack of knowledge.
“They want to help, but they don’t know what to do. They placed the eggs inside styrofoam to shield them from humans and predators, but the survival rate was low. Personnel from the DENR just handed them a certificate instead of training them,” Tiopes told DENR officials.
Undisturbed sea turtle nests can have more than 90 percent of the clutch successfully hatch. Nests disturbed by humans or animal predators tend to have a 25 percent or even much lower success rate, according to experts.
“They were told not to touch the eggs and the hatchlings, but sometimes they have to do it to protect them from birds and when they saw them crossing the highway. They need help and they cannot just watch these nature’s treasure die,” Tiopes added.
DENR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Crizaldy Barcelo said they have been extending assistance to coastal communities tagged as marine turtle conservation sites.
“We have been implementing conservation projects in the area such as habitat surveys, information drive, rescue and rehabilitation, capacity building, and establishment of partnerships,” Barcelo told officials.
There are two common species of marine turtles observed in Sta. Sophia and Tangkaan villages in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte. These are the green turtle and hawksbill turtle.
The DENR recorded at least three occurrences of marine turtle’s egg-laying in the two villages since mid-2017. On June 6 this year alone, about 200 eggs were laid in Tangkaan village.
Department of Science and Technology Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla said the DENR should replicate the good practices of other marine turtle conservation sites in the country such as in Pink Island in Zamboanga and Pawikan Conservation Center in Bataan.
Sea turtles hatch throughout the year but mostly in summer. Females come ashore on a sandy beach to nest a few weeks after mating. Hatchlings use a carbuncle (temporary egg tooth) to help break open the shell, according to the seaworld.org website.
After hatching, the young turtles may take three to seven days to dig their way to the surface. Hatchlings usually wait until night to emerge from the nest. Emerging at night reduces exposure to daytime predators. (PNA)
