140 Hawksbill Hatchlings Released in Zamboanga Sibugay

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Some 140 critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings (Eretmochelys imbricata) were released at Pandilusan Island, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay on Sunday, July 19, marking another milestone in marine biodiversity conservation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 9 (DENR-9) said. Marie Angelique Go, DENR-9 regional executive director, said the operation was spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Imelda, in partnership with local government officials and allied agencies. Go said the conservation effort began when the mother sea turtle first arrived to lay her clutch at the beach nesting area. Prior to the hatchlings’ release, they were carefully translocated to a safer location after high tide threatened the original nesting site. READ: 79 baby green sea turtles released in Panglao The transfer was made to protect the developing hatchlings, ensure their safe emergence, and improve their chances of survival before they were released into their natural marine habitat, Go explained. She stressed that the release highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration and community stewardship in protecting Hawksbill turtles and conserving their nesting habitats. Globally classified as critically endangered, Hawksbill turtles face severe threats from habitat loss, marine pollution, and poaching. As a keystone species, they play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the biological health of coral reefs. Conservationists emphasize that protecting these species is crucial to preserving ecological balance in coastal and marine ecosystems. The DENR-9 encouraged communities to report wildlife encounters and support conservation initiatives, reinforcing the role of local vigilance in protecting endangered marine species. /mr