A sea turtle, locally known as pawikan, was found dead by tourists on Friday, Aug. 9, at the 99 Hugot Lines of Tajang Pass Causeway and Mangrove Garden road to Sandingan Island in Loon town.
According to Aisa (family name withheld upon her request), she and her friends initially didn’t notice the sea turtle because it was mixed with other marine debris. But at a closer look, she said, it was a dead sea turtle.
Last Thursday, a dead sea turtle was also found by residents in Barangay Can-upao in Jagna town.
It was buried as advised by the municipal agriculture office.
According to the Biodiversity Management Bureau, all species of marine turtles in the Philippines are considered as endangered.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) is conducting a thorough information, education, and communication campaign across the country to intensify public awareness on protecting wildlife.