Marine Turtle Found Dead Along Antique Coastal Area
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — A marine turtle was discovered dead by a local fisher in the coastal waters of Sitio Sumakwel, Barangay Malandog, Hamtic, on Thursday. The marine turtle found dead appeared to have suffered a wound on the right side of its head, likely caused by the fierce waves during recent storms.
Hamtic’s Designated Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), Rosalie Sapla, shared in an interview that the marine turtle found dead weighed approximately 80 kilograms and was believed to be a male. She visited the site the day after the discovery to assess the situation. Although the species was not confirmed, officials suspect it might have been a green turtle. Unfortunately, the fisher who found it buried the animal immediately, preventing further examination.
Community’s Role in Protecting Marine Turtles
Sapla noted that residents in Barangay Malandog often witness marine turtles laying eggs or returning to the shores. “We inform the people that whenever they see a turtle hatching eggs, they will just geotag the area and, if possible, put a fence to protect the eggs,” she explained. This local practice helps protect vulnerable turtle nests from natural and human threats.
Monitoring and Reporting Dead Turtles
Environmental officers, including Sapla and personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, urge fishers and coastal communities to report any future sightings of dead turtles. They emphasize that these animals should not be buried immediately to allow proper examination and data collection, which are crucial for conservation efforts.
The rough seas brought on by heavy monsoon rains likely contributed to the unfortunate death of the marine turtle found dead. Local authorities continue to encourage community vigilance to safeguard marine wildlife.
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