Boracay is now a turtle haven

Sixty-six Olive Ridley hatchlings were released back to their home on early morning of January 10, 2020. This was after the 65 days of their incubation period. The eggs were found last November 5, 2019 in front of Movenpick Resort & Spa Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 was thankful for the turtle release in the island of Boracay, and the vigilance on turtle conservation sworn y stakeholders in the island.

“This hatchlings release and the recent visitation of whale shark last November 2019 in Boracay are good signs that the island (Boracay) is getting better and better because of the on-going rehabilitation that the government and the stakeholders are doing,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.

“Sea turtles and other marine life are fundamental creatures that is helpful in maintaining the health of our corals reefs and the whole marine life as well, and by that I would like to call on the public to avoid throwing your garbage anywhere, specifically in the bodies of water,” he emphasized.

Marine lives are now affected by the environmental conditions such as temperature, clean water, and the deaths of their home –coral reefs, and it’s a call for us to act now. Let us not be the reason for marine lives to suffer or die.

The name Olive ridley is taken from the color of its shell, olive green hue. They are currently the most abundant of all sea turtles. Their vulnerable status, however, comes from the fact that they nest in very small number of places. Therefore, any disturbances to even one nesting site can have huge repercussions on their entire population, making them face a vulnerable extinction risk.

The Community ENR Office in Boracay Island is currently monitoring other two turtle nesting in the island, which are expected to hatch anytime soon. (DENR-6)