Sixty green sea turtle hatchlings were released back to the sea at Ya-o’s Beach Resort in Barangay Nauhang, Sipalay City in Negros Occidental Feb. 5.
The hatchlings were discovered by resort owner Ferdinand Reagan Villena Feb. 4, and immediately placed in a tub of seawater, and the Bantay Dagat personnel informed.
Bantay Dagat coordinator Edsel Toledo, City Agriculture Office personnel Jesa Tihuk and Dinah Malata, and City Environment and Natural Resources MPA in-charge Roderico Bolo and Jayboy Dela Torre came over to document and release the hatchlings.
Early this month, some 45 sea turtle hatchlings were also released by Bantay Dagat personnel of Sipalay City at the Poblacion Beach.
Toledo had said that they found the nest end of November and secured it until the eggs hatched, which usually happens after 60 days.
Two batches of hatchlings were also returned to their natural habitat last month, including the 82 baby turtles released Jan. 10 after a monitoring of its nest at the local conservation area in Barangay 5.
That same day, 22 hatchlings were also returned to sea in Barangay Nauhang, after these were turned over to the Bantay Dagat.
The city said that sea turtles have very low survival rate. Only a few survive to adulthood and return to their nesting ground. That is why everyone is encouraged to be cautious and inform the proper authorities upon discovery of these marine creatures, it added.
“If you come across a sea turtle, or if you see someone disturbing its nest, call the Bantay Dagat, through Toledo, at 0921-528-6669,” the city added. ||
