SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – A 100-kilo green turtle, an endangered specie, was released back to the sea last Monday after it was caught with several wounds while crawling along the shores of Barangay Lingsat here.
Katherine Muller of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said that the sea turtle, measuring 36.5 inches long and 34 inches wide, was found by Rudy Nisperos and Jose Nisperos, both seaborne patrollers of the “Bantay Dagat ” of the Lingsat Marine Protected Area (LMPA).
Muller added that the Nisperoses–it was not known whether they are relatives or brothers– coordinated with concerned agencies and the City Veterinary Office for the inspection and the giving of medical treatment to the wounded sea turtle.
It was learned that the sea turtle was struggling to cross higher ground to lay eggs, but it was impeded by its wounds and low tide and the coral reef was underwater. Erwin Beleo/Northbound Philippine News