By I. Inojales | 07:33 PM September 03, 2025
DUERO, Bohol — A critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was found dead along the shoreline of Barangay Madua Norte, Duero town, on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 3.
Personnel from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Duero, in coordination with the Bohol Provincial Environment and Management Office (BPEMO), immediately responded to recover the marine turtle.
The turtle measured 74 centimeters long and 61 centimeters wide. Authorities said the carcass appeared freshly dead when discovered. It showed signs of possible trauma, including bulging eyes, blood oozing from the nose, eyes, and mouth, and red spots around the neck and flippers.
After documentation, the remains were properly buried in Madua Norte following standard protocol.
The hawksbill sea turtle is listed as “critically endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with populations threatened by habitat loss, illegal trade, and accidental capture in fishing gear.
