BALER, Aurora (PIA) — Authorities rescued a female Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) after it became accidentally entangled in a fishing net in the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora.
A concerned resident reported the incident, prompting a coordinated response from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and municipal government.
Casiguran Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Ariel Mendoza said the rescued turtle, locally known as “pawikan”, underwent tagging and a health examination to ensure it was free from injuries and fit for release.
“Following standard wildlife conservation protocols, the team carefully handled the rescued wildlife, tagged it for monitoring, and released it back into the waters of Barangay Calangcuasan,” Mendoza added.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Olive Ridley sea turtle as “Vulnerable” on the global Red List of Threatened Species, with populations declining worldwide.
Although the Olive Ridley is the most abundant sea turtle species, its population has dropped by 30 to 50 percent from historic levels due to fishing bycatch, habitat degradation, and overharvesting.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the successful rescue highlighted the importance of strong collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, and community members in protecting endangered marine wildlife.
“This reflects the value of prompt community reporting and close coordination among partner agencies in safeguarding our marine species. The DENR remains committed to protecting marine biodiversity and promoting responsible stewardship of our coastal resources in Aurora and beyond,” he emphasized.
Pablo also cited that the preservation of marine ecosystems relies not only on policy but also on active community participation, particularly in monitoring and reporting threatened wildlife.
“We encourage everyone to help safeguard our oceans by supporting DENR programs and initiatives aimed at protecting marine ecosystems for future generations, and by reporting incidents like this to authorities for rescue and proper care,” Pablo furthered.
Through this effort, local authorities and the DENR continue to strengthen marine wildlife protection to preserve biodiversity and support healthy coastal ecosystems in Aurora for present and future generations. (CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
