100-kg turtle rescued, returned to sea

JOMALIG, Quezon, Philippines — A 100-kilogram green sea turtle was rescued and released back into the sea, after it washed ashore in Jomalig, Quezon following a strong earthquake in the area on July 29.

According to residents of Sitio Sadong in Barangay Talisoy, the persistent barking of dogs along the shoreline alerted a group of siblings in the area. Thinking someone might be in distress, they rushed to the beach but found, instead, a large green sea turtle surrounded by the dogs.

The residents worked together to safely guide the marine reptile back to the ocean, instead of capturing, harming or abandoning it.

Barangay councilor Antonio delos Santos, who captured the rescue on video, hopes the incident would serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting endangered marine wildlife, noting that sea turtles are illegally slaughtered in some areas.

Delos Santos said the residents’ compassionate response to the beached reptile serve as an inspiration to others to conserve and not exploit marine animals.

Green Sea Turtles are among the wildlife species protected under Philippine law.

The capture, killing, possession, transport, sale or trade of sea turtles is prohibited under Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.