A GREEN Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) found stranded along the coast of the City of Mati in Davao Oriental died on June 24, following a multi-agency rescue and veterinary response.
The Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center XI of Davao Oriental State University reported on Thursday, June 25, that the marine turtle was rescued but was later documented as “fresh dead.’
RIC XI reported that the turtle was first sighted on June 19 in Asinan, Guang-guang, Barangay Dahican.
Meanwhile, a subsequent verified report indicated that residents found it in Purok Pangig, Barangay Tamisan, at around 5 p.m. on June 22, where residents found it along the shoreline and released it back to the sea the same day.
However, the marine turtle was re-stranded the next day, at around 1 p.m. on June 23, which was spotted by residents of Tamisan.
Following the re-stranding, the barangay office coordinated with the DENR for assessment and response and found the turtle in weak condition, which may have caused the re-stranding.
The marine turtle was covered with barnacles on its body that suggested possible prolonged debilitation, though responders noted that this cannot determine the cause of stranding or death.
DENR personnel, along with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Mati and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office Mati, rescued the turtle and brought it for immediate veterinary treatment.
The turtle was subsequently transferred to the City of Mati Environmental and Eco-Tourism Center in Guang-guang for continued monitoring. The DOrSU-RIC XI team, through Amy G. Ponce, provided technical assistance.
“Despite the response efforts, the turtle did not recover. At around 12 noon on June 24, 2025, the turtle was found dead and documented as fresh dead,” DOrSU-RIC XI stated.
External examination recorded the turtle as presumed female, as no male secondary sexual characteristics were observed, such as an elongated tail extending beyond the posterior carapace.
The center also recorded minor superficial scratches or abrasions on some head scales, but no other visible external injuries were noted.
Meanwhile, sex confirmation would require internal examination or necropsy, hence the carcass was salvaged as a scientific specimen and transported to the University Marine Science Research Laboratory of DOrSU for further examination and possible necropsy.
DOrSU-RIC XI stated the cause of death remains undetermined.
The stranding case was documented using the MT02 Marine Turtle Stranding Report Form under the Philippine Aquatic Wildlife Rescue and Response Manual Series: Marine Turtles, published by the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines in partnership with the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau.
RIC-XI said the case emphasized timely community reporting, proper rescue protocols, veterinary response, and science-based documentation to strengthen marine turtle conservation efforts across Davao Oriental and the wider Davao Region.
