Animal carcasses are a sad sight for animal lovers and for the advocates for the protection and conservation of species.

On January 2, 2020, a female Green sea turtle was found dead in the shores of a resort in Boracay Island. A week later, another sea turtle was found dead in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

The carcass of the first sea turtle was found off the shore of Fairways and Bluewaterin Boracay Island. It was fairly decomposedwith its organs coming out from its carapace. According to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Boracay Island which conducted the investigation, the death of the turtle may have been caused by the propellers of boats or ships that crashed on its back causing its carapace to splitinto half.

On January 13, the severely decomposed carcass of another female Green sea turtlewas found on the shores of the coastal town of Brgy. Tuyom, Cauayan, Negros Occidental after an overpowering smell alarmed its residents. The turtle’s carapace measured 90 cm.long and 75 cm. wide.CENRO Kabankalan personnel observed discoloration on its carapace and flippers, and it organs were not intact.
Both carcasses were buried after investigation.

Although the deathof marine animals, especially turtles,and grave threats to their existenceare traced to injuries from propellers of boats and ships, human factors are also a culprit. People kill turtles for their eggs and carapace which are sold as for souvenirs, marine animals to get tangled in fishing nets and ingest plastic debris.

Green sea turtles (Cheloniamydas) are one of the world’s largest species of turtle that can live up to 80 years in the wild if not harmed. They feed on marine plants such as seaweeds and sea grass. They are considered endangered (E) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources supports the protection and conservation of our marine animals. It is a grieving moment to knowthat some of the marine animal species die in a violent way. We, however, continue with our conservation efforts to boost the turtle population by protecting their hatching areas.I therefore encourage all to stop throwing garbage into oceans because they slowly but surely kill our marine animals especially turtles,” said DENR Region 6 Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.#DENR6

Approved for release:

FRANCISCO E. MILLA, JR., CESO III

Regional Executive Director