A total of 94 hawksbill marine turtle hatchlings were released at the coastal area of Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan, in the City of Zamboanga.

The join team composed of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), Philippine National Police (PNP)- Maritime IX, Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Community Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CENRO) of Zamboanga City, Office of the City Veterinarian, and Office of the City Agriculturist conducted the join monitoring and releasing of hawksbill marine turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchlings on September 5 and 12, 2022.

On September 5, 2022, along with the release of 45 hawksbill hatchlings, 17 unhatched eggs and 3 mortalities were included in the report of For. Sahac Ahmad and Eufemia Lorenzo, OCENR representatives. After a week, September 12, 2022, 49 released hatchlings, 72 unhatched eggs, and 2 mortalities were reported. The join team releases immediately the turtle hatchlings to its natural habitat so as not to stress the animal.

The OCENR emphasized the importance of the conduct of a join Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) in the communities of coastal barangays to ensure that these critically endangered species are properly handled and safe to release.

 

– Fernandez, M. (2022)