Sea turtle hatchling released in Batanes

ROXAS, Isabela – A sea turtle hatchling had been released along the coast of Ivana town in the island province of Batanes, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) said on Tuesday (September 1).

The hatchling’s release was part of its ongoing program for the conservation and protection of sea turtles and their natural habitat, said Victoria Baliuag, Batanes provincial environment and natural resources officer. 

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The conservation and development section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been surveilling turtle nests and oversees the safe release of the hatched sea turtles to ensure their smooth journey from the nest to the ocean, she said.

The PENRO also discovered another sea turtle nest in the same area on June 11. It was immediately secured with a net to protect the eggs from predators and other possible threats.

Continuous monitoring and protection of sea turtle nesting sites are important ways to ensure the safety of the eggs until they hatch, Baliuag said. 

She encouraged local communities to cooperate in the conservation and protection of sea turtles and other wildlife.  Other turtle nesting sites may lie in the area. /jpv