ILOILO CITY – A healthy female Olive Ridley marine turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) laid 109 eggs at the beach front of Movenpick Resort and Spa in Boracay Island on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has secured the eggs to keep them safe.
“With its near proximity to the shoreline that could possibly be eroded due to strong waves, it was then decided to dig the eggs and transfer it to much higher and safer location adjacent to the beach,” the DENR-Western Visayas said.
The DENR-Boracay Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) headed by Joanette Opeda conducted an assessment of the nesting site on Thursday, Oct. 5.
DENR Boracay-CENRO “will monitor periodically within 45 days up until the Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings will emerge from the nest and return back to its home.”
Since the rehabilitation of the country’s most famous beach destination in 2018, there has been an increase in Olive Ridley marine turtles laying eggs in Boracay Island.
Hawksbill sea turtles and green sea turtles have also laid eggs on the island.