A STRANDED juvenile Hawksbill Sea Turtle (𝘌𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢) was rescued on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the shoreline of Barangay Sasa, Buhangin District.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, together with the Marine Environmental Protection Group SEM and Coast Guard Sub-Station Sasa, conducted the rescue operation.
According to the press release, concerned citizens reported a distressed marine turtle on the shoreline.
The Coast Guard immediately proceeded to the location and secured the reptile to ensure proper handling and prevent further stress or injury.
Following the initial assessment, the rescued turtle was turned over to the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag.
The turtle will be subject to further evaluation and monitoring before it is released into the ocean.
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The Coast Guard reminded the public that any sightings or concerns regarding marine wildlife must be reported to the authorities for immediate assistance.
The country is home to five of the seven sea turtle species worldwide: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
