
About 27 newly-hatched endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles were released into the sea at the Poblacion Beach in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Bantay Dagat coordinator Edcel Toledo told DIGICAST NEGROS that through their wildlife protection education campaign, Sipalay residents and resort owners already know what to do if they find turtle nestings in their area.
Turtle eggs are expected to hatch in January as the nesting season of the Olive Ridleys occurred during the “ber” months or the last quarter of 2024, he said.
Toledo said that the Bantay Dagat team is continuously monitoring the common turtle nesting sites in Sipalay, including the coastal areas at barangays 1, 2, 4, 5, Nauhang, and Cayhagan, and in Anjauan Island in Brgy. Cartagena.
As the turtle hatchlings are sensitive to light, sometimes they tend to crawl towards the resorts near their nesting sites instead of the sea.
The 27 sea turtles were found by the employees of Saka-Saka Beach Resort in Brgy. Nauhang and were brought by the city’s Bantay Dagat personnel to their station and then released later in the afternoon.
Almost at the same time last year, about 53 green sea turtle hatchlings were also found and released in the same area in Nauhang.
Sipalay Mayor Gina Lizares said that this occurrence is usual in their area. Barangay officials, fishermen, and residents are aware and compliant in handling these situations, she said.
Toledo reminded the public, especially those who live by the shore of Sipalay, to immediately contact the fishery, agriculture, or the environment office personnel of the city government to assist them in releasing the turtles into the sea.*