KALAMANSIG, Sultan Kudarat — A rare and heartening encounter unfolded in the tranquil waters off this coastal town on April 12, when environmentalists spotted a pair of endangered green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), locally known as pawikan, engaged in a natural but increasingly threatened ritual — mating.
The sighting, recorded around 8:30 AM during a routine monitoring activity, was more than just a glimpse into the secret life of these gentle marine wanderers. It served as a vivid reminder of the importance of protecting Kalamansig’s marine ecosystems, especially as human pressures and climate change continue to erode the fragile habitats that sea turtles depend on.
The observation took place within the Kalamansig Marine Protected Area Network (KMPAN), a critical sanctuary established to shield the town’s rich underwater life from overexploitation and destruction. The monitoring team — composed of KMPAN members, the Philippine Coast Guard, the PNP Maritime Group, representatives from the academe, the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau, and local government staff — was both delighted and cautious. Such moments underscore the success of local conservation efforts, while also reinforcing the urgent need for vigilance.
Mating season for the pawikan typically runs from November to April. After mating, female turtles embark on one of nature’s most incredible feats: navigating back, often across vast ocean distances, to the very beach where they were born. There, they lay their eggs in mass nesting events known as arribada. This instinctive journey is crucial to the species’ survival — but it’s also fraught with danger.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has long warned that despite the impressive numbers of eggs laid during nesting season, only about one percent of hatchlings ever reach adulthood. Natural predators claim many, but human activities — including coastal development, plastic pollution, poaching, and illegal fishing practices — remain the biggest threats to their survival.
Because of this, the DENR continues to appeal to the public: do not disturb sea turtles during their nesting journeys. Handling or relocating their eggs is strictly reserved for trained authorities, who ensure the eggs are safely transferred to hatcheries only when necessary for protection.
The recent mating sighting isn’t just a celebration for Kalamansig; it is a rallying call for stronger protection and community involvement. Each sea turtle that survives to adulthood represents hope for an ocean that still has a chance to heal, if given the space and respect it deserves.
Protecting creatures like the pawikan isn’t just about saving a single species — it’s about preserving the balance of the marine world, which provides food, livelihood, and climate stability for millions of Filipinos.
As local conservationists know all too well, the ocean’s health mirrors our own future. And sometimes, it only takes one turtle, swimming back to the shore of its birth, to remind us that saving nature begins with the choices we make today.
