Authorities rescued a female Olive Ridley sea turtle after it became accidentally entangled in a fishing net in the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora.
The incident was reported by a concerned resident, prompting a coordinated response from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local 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 had not sustained injuries and was fit to return to the wild.
Following standard wildlife conservation protocols, the team carefully handled the turtle, tagged it for monitoring purposes, and released it back into the waters off Barangay Calangcuasan.
The Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is classified as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, with its global population continuing to decline.
Although considered the most abundant species of sea turtle, Olive Ridley populations have dropped by 30 to 50 percent from historical levels due to threats such as fishing bycatch, habitat degradation, and overharvesting.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the successful rescue highlights the importance of cooperation among government agencies, local authorities, and community members in protecting endangered marine wildlife.
He emphasized that prompt reporting from the community and strong coordination among partner agencies play a crucial role in safeguarding marine species.
Pablo also encouraged the public to support DENR programs and initiatives aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and to report incidents involving threatened wildlife to authorities to ensure their rescue and proper care.
Through efforts like this, the DENR and local authorities continue to strengthen marine wildlife protection and promote the preservation of biodiversity and healthy coastal ecosystems in Aurora.
