‘Pawikan’ hatchlings set free in Boracay & Numancia in Aklan

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A total of 225 hatchlings of Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) marine turtles were released on January 23 and 29, 2024 at Boracay Island and Numancia, Aklan respectively.

In the afternoon of January 23,  84 hatchlings have emerged from their nest located at the middle part of the Puka Beach in Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.

These were the eggs that were relocated to the same beach last November 2023 and was guarded and monitored until they hatched.

Personnel from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Boracay through the Chief of Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Unit (PAMBCU)/Coastal Unit facilitated the release of the turtles and was witnessed by locals, tourists, and guests passing by the area.

More recently on January 29, the Local Government Unit of Numancia in cooperation with the PAMBCU of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Aklan facilitated the releasing of 141 hatchlings at the coast of Brgy. Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan. It is the 77^th batch of sea turtle hatchlings that was released.

Mayor Jeserel T. Templonuevo of Numancia led the release together with the Numancia Agri-Fishery Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection Unit, Municipal Agriculturist Judy A. Gonzales, AT-Fishery Designate John L. Alcazarin, OMA staff, Bantay Dagat officers, local fisherfolks, and the Barangay Council and personnel of Brgy. Camanci Norte.

Also witnessing the activity are personnel from PENRO Aklan, Senior Aquaculturist of OPA-Aklan Christian Deza, officers from the Philippine Coast Guard, representatives from the media and the Indigenous People Congress of Unified Panay Inc.

            “Seeing these beautiful creatures make their way to the sea gives us hope that their species are thriving here in Western Visayas. We wanted really to boost conservation efforts and DENR 6 will continue to engage with our local partners to take care of our marine turtles,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.(DENR-6)