SAN NARCISO, Zambales — Two marine turtles were rescued and returned to the sea after being stranded along the coast of Barangay La Paz here amid rough conditions brought by the southwest monsoon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
One of the turtles was a 13-centimeter juvenile hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) that was found washed ashore and rescued by Pawikan Rangers.
The turtle was assessed by responders before it was safely released back into the sea.
A 50-centimeter olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), meanwhile, was found entangled in a discarded fishing net near the local fish landing area.
The turtle sustained deep wounds on its flippers and a chipped carapace. It was brought to the PawiCare Conservation Site for treatment and rehabilitation.
PawiCare personnel and DENR staff later conducted a physical and health assessment of the turtle and fitted it with identification tag PH 1070A before its release.
San Narciso Mayor La-Rainne Abad Sarmiento led the release, joined by personnel from the DENR, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard and other wildlife responders.
Edward Sernadilla, head of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Olongapo City, said the rescue operations demonstrated the importance of immediate intervention when marine wildlife is found stranded or injured along the coast.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo credited residents and wildlife responders for promptly reporting and responding to the incidents, allowing the turtles to receive appropriate care.
Pablo urged coastal communities to immediately report stranded, injured or entangled marine turtles to the DENR, local environment offices or trained wildlife responders.
DENR Zambales Provincial Head Marife Castillo also reminded the public not to handle or release stranded or injured marine turtles on their own, particularly when the animals are entangled in fishing gear.
Instead, residents should seek assistance from trained wildlife responders to prevent further injury to the animals.
The incident also highlighted the continuing threat posed by discarded fishing gear, commonly known as ghost gear, which can trap and seriously injure marine wildlife.
The DENR called on coastal communities and fishing groups to properly manage and dispose of fishing gear and to report incidents involving marine wildlife to the appropriate authorities.
The agency said continued community participation remains crucial in protecting marine turtles and other wildlife along the Zambales coastline.