Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay – February 28, 2025 – A female green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was successfully returned to its natural habitat in Barangay Caliran, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay, following its accidental capture in a local fish corral.
The turtle was unintentionally trapped in a fish corral owned by Jovanni Rosales, who immediately reported and turned it over to the authorities. Responding to the incident, the technical team from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Imelda, in coordination with Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Geniefel E. Libre, facilitated the assessment and safe release of the marine reptile.
Under the supervision of Forester William Palisoc and Jeffer Buhian of CENRO Imelda, the sea turtle underwent a thorough physical examination before being tagged for monitoring purposes. The turtle measured 50.5 cm in curved carapace length and 42.5 cm in width. It was tagged with identifiers PH0240M on its left flipper and PH0239M on its right flipper to aid in future tracking and conservation efforts.
CENRO Imelda expressed gratitude to the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Mabuhay for its continuous support in marine conservation initiatives. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reminds the public to remain vigilant in protecting marine wildlife by reporting any stranded or trapped sea turtles and actively participating in conservation programs.
The release of the green sea turtle highlights the ongoing efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity and underscores the importance of community participation in preserving the country’s rich aquatic resources.