GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Environment personnel in Sarangani province have stepped up the implementation of protection and conservation measures for the nesting sites of marine turtles in the coastal villages of Glan municipality.
This, as experts from the Sarangani Environmental Protection and Conservation Center (ECPC) documented another nesting area of sea turtles in Purok Islam, Barangay Cablalan in Glan.
Dr. Roy Mejorada, marine biologist and ECPC in-house veterinarian, said at least 84 new hatchlings of Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) emerged on Wednesday from a natural nest in the area.
He said the hatchlings were from a mother turtle that was found laying eggs at a portion of the Purok Islam last January 28.
A report released by ECPC said the mother turtle was initially monitored by village resident Freddie Mongkalong, a member of the area’s Bantay Dagat team.
It said the team immediately secured the nesting site to protect the eggs from potential predators.
After 58 days of monitoring, the hatchlings emerged from the nest and were released to the waters by personnel from the ECPC and the Glan Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Following the release of the hatchlings, Mejorada said they conducted an information and education campaign among residents to ensure the protection of the sea turtle nesting site.
“(It focused on the) importance of pawikans (sea turtles) and the vital role they play in the ecosystem,” he said in a statement.
The residents were also taught about the concepts of imprinting and natal homing of the sea turtles as well as the conservation and protection of marine wildlife and their habitat, he said.
According to local residents, the shores of barangay Cablalan and nearby areas have long been hosting a number of nesting sites of sea turtles.
In nearby Barangay Burias, a female Olive ridley turtle was recently found stranded in Purok Panaghiusa and believed to have laid eggs in the area.
