A total of 51 turtle hatchlings were released to sea along the shoreline of Sitio Gaway-gaway in the town of Pio V. Corpuz, Masbate, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed.
The DENR said that hatchlings, identified as hawksbill turtles, were released in the same village where they hatched — the first recorded sea turtle habitat and nesting site in mainland Masbate.
Hawksbill turtles are considered critically endangered species based on the DENR’s Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna. The International Union for Conservation of Nature also classifies hawksbill turtles as critically endangered under their Red List.
The turtles are protected under Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act.
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