Sea turtle saved from laying eggs in crowded beach in Mati


DAVAO CITY – A sea turtle, which was about to lay eggs at a crowded beach in Dahican, Mati City, on Thursday night, was rescued by three surfers.

A sea turtle, which was about to lay eggs at a crowded beach in Dahican, Mati City, on Thursday night, was rescued by three surfers. (Photo courtesy of Amihan sa Dahican-Save our Seas Project / MANILA BULLETIN)

The female sea turtle, tagged as PH1677L, eventually laid 74 eggs, said Amihan sa Dahican-Save our Seas Project in a post on Facebook.

"Bayugyug, Panggoy and Eric, our very own skimboarders/surfers, found a mother turtle in the crowded beach bar. With their hearts for (marine) conservation, they immediately called the Amihan Team to keep an eye on the mother," it said.

"Fortunately, after 20minutes, the mother got (the) right quiet and safe place to lay her 74 eggs," it added.

The team noted that it was the first time that they witnessed PH1677L lay her eggs.

"Her (little) babies are now in the pawikan hatchery and projected to hatch for approximately 60 days," it said.

The team is also expecting turtle hatchlings on February 25, February 27, and March 4.

Amihan sa Dahican was established on April 4, 2004. It aims "to conserve marine wildlife species in the bay, take care of young kids, and share surfing and skimboarding skills with visitors."