BUTUAN CITY – A male Olive Ridley turtle was found dead Wednesday afternoon by residents in the coastal Barangay Punta Bilar in Surigao City.
Personnel from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) were immediately dispatched to the area for investigation and found that the turtle had wounds on its neck and head.
“The CENRO personnel found the dead turtle with a thin body, as they suspected that it was already weak before being washed ashore, where it died,” Surigao City’s Public Information Office (PIO) said in a statement on Thursday.
CENRO personnel also noted parasites on the turtle's wounds.
“The city government urges residents in our coastal communities to immediately report beached marine animals to CENRO or local officials for appropriate action,” the PIO said.
Last week, a juvenile Spinner Dolphin was also rescued by CENRO and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the shoreline of Barangay Cagniog, Surigao City.
The marine animal, measuring 1.5 meters in length, was promptly released back into the sea after an examination and assessment of its health. (PNA)