Photo courtesy: Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao
DAVAO CITY(November 11) — A juvenile hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) found stranded along the shoreline of Barangay Sasa, Buhangin District, was safely rescued on Saturday, November 8, thanks to alert residents and quick action from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The rescue, carried out by the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, the Marine Environmental Protection Group–SEM, and Coast Guard Sub-Station Sasa, followed reports from concerned citizens who spotted the distressed turtle along the coast.
Rescuers carefully secured the young turtle to minimize stress and potential injury before turning it over to the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, a marine wildlife rehabilitation site. The turtle will undergo evaluation and monitoring to ensure it is healthy and ready for eventual release into the ocean.
The hawksbill sea turtle, known for its distinctive shell pattern, is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to illegal trade, habitat loss, and marine pollution. The species plays a vital role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.
The Coast Guard reminded the public to report any sightings of stranded or injured marine animals to authorities for immediate rescue and care.
The Philippines is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species — green, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, and hawksbill — highlighting the country’s critical role in global marine biodiversity.
