ASIAN GIANT SOFTSHELL TURTLE TURNED OVER IN SORSOGON

An Asian Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) also known as Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle was recently turned over to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Sorsogon. Mr. Rolan J. Dio, a resident of Barangay Bibincahan, Sorsogon City informed the PENRO Sorsogon about the turtle to which the Office responded immediately. According to Mr. Dio, he saw the said wildlife along the highway near his residence and rescued it because it was posing potential danger to travelers. Upon inspection, the PENRO Sorsogon Technical Staff identified the said species and informed Dio that it should be turned over to the Office as it belongs to the invasive alien species (IAS). The wildlife was then brought to the Irosin Temporary Wildlife Rescue Center (ITWRC) for rehabilitation at Barangay Patag, Irosin, Sorsogon. The DENR V continuously calls on the public to report such incidents and turnover any wildlife to proper authorities for proper handling and release to its natural habitat. Continuous information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns are being conducted by the DENR, which have caused increasing numbers of public turn overs to the office. (With report from PENRO Sorsogon)

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