Photo courtesy of DENR-12
KORONADAL CITY – Environmentalists observed a pair of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) mating during fieldwork in Sarangani Bay early this week.
Cirilo Lagnason Jr., protected area superintendent of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), said the turtles were spotted during an expedition with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon.
“It’s worth noting that sea turtles typically mate before their nesting season. In Sarangani Bay, the sea turtles’ peak nesting period occurs from March to May,” Lagnason said in a DENR-12 statement.
Lagnason noted that the SBPS shorelines are favored nesting grounds for olive ridley sea turtles.
He said that mating is a critical period in the sea turtles’ nesting cycle and urged the public to avoid disturbing them and maintain cleanliness along Sarangani Bay’s coast.
“Protecting our sea turtles demands collective responsibility beyond the efforts of the DENR,” Lagnason said.
He urged the public to avoid using flashlights or cellphone cameras during the turtles’ nesting to prevent disturbance.
Lagnason also reminded locals that only authorities should handle or relocate sea turtle eggs.
Sarangani Bay is a known nesting site for sea turtles, with environmentalists and villagers releasing thousands of hatchlings annually.
Earlier this month, environmentalists released an adult female olive ridley sea turtle and 56 hatchlings back into the sea in Barangay Luma, Kiamba, Sarangani Province, coinciding with World Wildlife Day.
“They are essential for maintaining balance and stability in natural processes. It is important that we prioritize the protection and conservation of these species to uphold ecosystem equilibrium,” said Felix Alicer, regional director of DENR 12.
Alicer emphasized the need for continued protection of Sarangani Bay by both the DENR and the community.
“The DENR needs the support of the citizenry and the local government units. We must all work together to protect the biodiversity in the SBPS,” said Alicer, who also chairs the SBPS Protected Area Management Board.
Lagnason called for strengthened conservation efforts to protect marine life and preserve Sarangani Bay for future generations.
DENR-12 also initiated tree-planting and information campaigns this month to promote understanding of the region’s diverse flora and fauna and their ecological significance.
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Midsayap in Cotabato province released two Samar cobras in Kabacan, Cotabato on March 3, while the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of Sultan Kudarat and CENRO of Tacurong City led the planting of 100 Narra tree seedlings at Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City.
Alicer reminded the public that all wildlife species in the country are protected under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
“The public is strongly advised against keeping wildlife species as pets without the necessary permits, as it contravenes the law,” Alicer said. “It is essential to allow wildlife species to thrive in their natural habitats.”
He urged anyone who rescues a wild animal to surrender it to the nearest DENR office for proper care and rehabilitation.