A total of 91 Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings were successfully released recently at the shores of Barangay Payak in Bato, Camarines Sur.

 

The release was spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Iriga headed by OIC, CENR Officer Nestor Franz A. Fortuno together with Barangay Secretary Ms. Vivian R. Gamayan.

 

According to the CENRO Iriga Technical Personnel, 83% of the 109 eggs were hatched while 16 were undeveloped and two (2) died.

 

Under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-09 entitled, "National List of of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories", the Green Sea Turtle is considered endangered, Likewise, all wildlife in the Philippines are protected under the Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act".

 

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 and Education Communication (IEC) campaigns are being conducted by the DENR, which caused increasing numbers of public turn overs to the office.###