Pagadian villagers save hatchlings of ‘vulnerable’ sea turtle species

SURVIVORS: These olive ridley turtles are among the batch of hatchlings released into the sea by residents of Barangay White Beach in Pagadian City on Wednesday. Only 12 hatchlings from a nesting site near a residential area were found alive when villagers scoured the coastline on Tuesday night. (Photo by LEAH D. AGONOY / Inquirer Mindanao)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Residents of Barangay White Beach here on Wednesday released to the sea 12 hatchlings of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtle that survived from among more than 30 that they discovered on the village’s shores on Tuesday night.

Village chief Rey Rabanos said the hatchlings were found near a residential area, crawling toward the waters.

But when the villagers searched around, they discovered that several hatchlings were already dead, he said.

Rabanos said this was the fourth time that White Beach villagers rescued hatchlings on the beach. He said the community would be more vigilant next time so villagers could help protect turtle eggs and ensure the survival of hatchlings.

Olive ridley turtles, according to the World Wildlife Fund, are the most abundant of all marine turtle species. However, these are classified as “vulnerable” because “they nest in a very small number of places, and therefore any disturbance to even one nest beach could have huge repercussions on the entire population.”

Rodel Arabes, ecosystem management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Zamboanga del Sur province, commended the residents for immediately protecting the hatchlings and reporting these to authorities.

According to Arabes, olive ridley turtles are threatened by nesting site degradation and the conversion of coastal areas into recreation and other uses.

—LEAH D. AGONOY

RELATED STORIES

More sea turtles released in Quezon’s Tayabas Bay

83 baby turtles released in Tayabas Bay