Dead sea turtle found in Puerto Princesa shore

DEAD BY THE SEA. A green sea turtle is found dead and decaying by personnel of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) on Thursday, March 14, at the beach in Puerto Princesa City. PHOTO FROM PPSRNP

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Personnel of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) found a dead green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) at the beach in this city on Thursday, March 14.

The sea turtle, which was found decomposing on the shores of Sitio (sub-village) Sabang in Barangay Cabayugan, was 70 centimeters wide and 110 centimeters long.

The authorities could not tell whether the animal was male or female due to the advanced state of decomposition of the carcass.

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PPSRNP Superintendent Elizabeth Maclang said this was the fourth time this year that a sea turtle was found dead on the beach of Sabang, which is home to the city’s primary tourist destination Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).

Maclang said the first three were found right by the Sabang Wharf.

The park management is still investigating the possible cause of death of the turtle.