Dead pawikan found near fish port in Zambales

This dead sea turtle was found at a fish port at the village of Beneg in Botolan, Zambales. PHOTO FROM BOTOLAN MDRRMO

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales—A dead pawikan, or marine turtle, an endangered species, was found along the coastline of Botolan town on Tuesday (Feb. 16).

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Botolan, the turtle was found near the fish port at the village of Beneg around 4:00 p.m. It was 90-centimeters long and 60-cm wide.

The staff of a nearby beach resort and a local detachment of the Maritime Information Network retrieved the animal’s carcass.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the sea turtle’s death but they said its shell was damaged while its head had wounds.

TSB