Two endangered Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) were documented along the coastal waters of Sitio Poral, Barangay Sta. Maria, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat during a monitoring operation conducted by the Conservation and Development Section (CDS) of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Kalamansig on September 11-12.
The turtles were sighted through drone-assisted aerial photography while swimming freely in their natural habitat. According to CENRO Kalamansig, the discovery highlights that the coastal waters of Sultan Kudarat continue to serve as a refuge for marine turtles and emphasizes the need for sustained protection efforts and active community-based conservation.
Green Sea Turtles, locally called pawikan, are classified as “Endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They are also protected under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
These marine turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and ensuring balance in marine biodiversity, making their conservation crucial for sustaining coastal ecosystems.