20 baby marine turtles freed to sea in Isabela

Twenty newly hatched green sea turtles crawl back to their natural habitat in the coastal village of Dinapigue, Isabela. Photo courtesy of Racquel Caldez/DENR-PENRO Isabela

DINAPIGUE, Isabela –– Twenty juvenile sea turtles (pawikan) hatchlings were released to their natural habitat here on Monday.

The newborn green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) emerged from their nest at the coastline of Barangay Digumased, said Federico Cauilan, Jr., chief of the Palanan community environment and natural resources office.

“The release of the [baby] green sea turtles aims to instill [on the people] the importance of protecting endangered species and to boost the population and promote environmental protection,” Cauilan said.

An adult green sea turtle laid eggs in the area two months ago, he said.

Racquel Caldez, information officer of the provincial environment and natural resources office, said marine turtles are considered “vulnerable” due to their threatened hatching sites.

Caldez said sightings of sea turtles indicate a healthy marine ecosystem within the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.

LZB