Sea turtle found in Albay to undergo surgery due to lump in neck

LEGAZPI CITY — A green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was accidentally entangled in a fishing net in the waters off San Miguel Island in Tabaco City, Albay province on Sunday morning will have to undergo surgery due to a lump in its neck.

Daryl John Buenconsejo, aquaculturist of the Provincial Agriculture Office Fisheries Division, said the female green sea turtle, which measured 88.39 centimeters in length and 71.01 centimeters in width, was discovered trapped in the net owned by Isah Tanggo Jr. in the coastal village of Rawis around 7:30 a.m.

The endangered species weighed at least 50 kilograms.

Buenconsejo said it would undergo an operation to remove the big lump in its neck.

“Common causes of this include vitamins or nutrient deficiency, respiratory diseases, infections, and parasites,” Buenconsejo said in a chat message.

The turtle was transported to the rehabilitation facility of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bicol in Tiwi town, also in Albay.

READ: Sea turtle entangled in fish net returned to Ormoc Bay