PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Around 118 hatchlings of the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle were released Tuesday night along the shores of Dos Palmas Island Resort, Honda Bay, Barangay Sta. Lourdes.
PO2 Primrose Flores, 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group (2nd SOU-MG), said the release of the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchlings took place around 10 p.m.
“Sadya lang nangitlog doon ang mga pawikan. Binantayan at ini-assist ng biologist ng Dos Palmas ang mga itlog para hindi magambala ng kung ano. Ayon sa biologist, time na rin para i-release (The sea turtles laid eggs there. The biologist and personnel of Dos Palmas guarded and protected the eggs. The biologist said it was already time to release the hatchlings last night),” she said.
She added that the event was supervised by 2nd SOU-MG commander Supt. Greg Togonon and Glezell Batin, environmental biologist of Dos Palmas.
“It was an event kung saan nag-participate din sa release ang mga guests ng Dos Palmas na ang iba ay first time nakakita ng sea turtle hatchlings. May mga duty kami na personnel na sila nag-witness dahil mandate namin ay to protect wildlife and marine environment (Guests of Dos Palmas also participated in the event, and it was the first time for some to see sea turtle hatchlings. We have personnel on duty who witnessed the release as it was also our mandate to protect wildlife and the marine environment),” Flores sad.
Hawksbills are primarily found in tropical coral reefs. Adult ones are often seen resting in caves and ledges around these reefs. They are highly migratory and inhabit a wide range of marine habitats. (PNA)
