Citizen discovers new sea turtle nesting spot; CENRO Davao City recognizes conservation efforts

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Bangkal, Davao City, facilitated and responded to the request of a concerned citizen regarding the sighting of a sea turtle species laying eggs at the shoreline of Purok Lawis, Barangay Lizada, Toril District, Davao City.

On March 6, 2023, a concerned citizen in the person of Ms. Letty Arnado reported through phone call regarding the sea turtle, nesting and laying eggs adjacent to her residence. CENR Officer Juvy Hofileña immediately responded and instructed her personnel on this matter. Forest Technician II Leland Briones of CENRO Davao City told Ms. Arnado to keep an eye on the eggs while the DENR personnel are on their way to the area to check on the veracity of the report.

Upon arriving at the area, the team spoke to the concerned citizen where the latter narrated that on March 5, 2023 around 7:00 in the evening, she heard and noticed an unusual sound near her house. She then went out to check on it and found a sea turtle laying eggs in the sand. She then covered the egg chamber promptly after the sea turtle completed the clutch. Thereafter, she noticed that the sea turtle slowly left the shoreline and headed back to the sea. She immediately put a nylon fence in the perimeter of the nesting site to protect the eggs.

The sea turtle was later on identified as Olive Ridley. Considering that the area is going to be a potentially regular nesting site, the DENR personnel provided guidelines on handling wildlife’s offspring properly. She was told to observe the nesting site within 45-50 days; and that if the sand starts to subside; it is an indication that the eggs has already hatched.

Subsequently, on March 15, 2023, CENRO Davao City personnel coordinated and informed the BLGU of Lizada regarding the discovery of a nesting site of sea turtle in their area and conducted an information drive to BLGU personnel on some facts and proper handling of wildlife.

On April 16, 2023, Ms. Arnado messaged the personnel from CENRO Davao City informing them that the eggs have finally hatched with 119 hatchlings by dusk and were safely released to the ocean thereafter. She reassured that proper documentation and handling of the hatchlings were strictly observed and applied.

Five of seven sea turtle species around the globe are found in our country.

Unfortunately, they are facing the threat of extinction due to various factors including abusive human activities particularly poaching and habitat destruction.

The dense conservation efforts for these highly migratory species are up, and on that account, the DENR extends utmost recognition and gratefulness to Ms. Letty Arnado for her heroic act in safeguarding the wildlife. |𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝐽𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑜, 𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑅𝑂 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑜 𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑦

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