ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources region 9 (DENR-9) released 123 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings back to the sea during a ceremony at President Manuel A. Roxas Municipality, Zamboanga del Norte last Thursday, March 31.
Hatchery Technician Themistocles Yaco spotted the hatchlings trapped inside coconut husks during his regular coastline patrol in Barangay Dohinob.
The hatchlings were then kept inside a container and released later that day.
The event was witnessed by Ronald Gadot, OIC, Office of the Regional Executive Director, and other DENR personnel.
The Olive Ridley turtle is one of three species of marine turtles found along the coastline of Manukan municipality.
The species is listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature, an international organization working towards nature conservation.
The DENR calls on the public to report any wildlife concerns to their office to be properly dealt with by their personnel.