2 green sea turtles released in Albay

[GLT]

2 green sea turtles released in Albay

By Thea Omelan, ABS-CBN Bicol | 08/27/2009 12:52 AM


Two green sea turtles were released to the sea in Albay province
Wednesday.

A green sea turtle locally known as pawikan was released Wednesday
noon off the shore of Rawis in Legazpi City by the City Environment
and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

The turtle weighed approximately 40 kilos and was reportedly tried to
be sold by an unidentified person to Board Member Awyn Baldo of Albay
province’s 2nd district.

Upon seeing the turtle however, Baldo reportedly told the man to just
leave the turtle warning him that what he was doing is illegal citing
that the sea turtle is listed as an endangered specie.

The man was reported to have immediately fled leaving the turtle
behind.

On Wednesday it was turned over to Cenro-Legazpi which then released
it at the shoreline at Naval Forces Command in the Bicol region.

Another green sea turtle meanwhile was also released Wednesday by
local officials of Libon town also in Albay province.

The town’s agriculture office said the sea turtle weighed almost 50
kilos. It said that its was the same sea turtle that was captured and
released last 2000. It was recognized by the officials because it
still has the seal of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources attached to it.

Albay province, according to environment officials, is home to some
species of pawikan.

According to July Tingzon, also a board member of the 2nd district of
Albay and head of the environmental protection office of the district,
strict implementation of the law must be observed so that the people
would involve themselves in the preservation of endangered species.

The presence of sea turtles in the sea shore of Albay is reportedly a
manifestation of its clean environment.

As of January, ten different species of pawikan have reportedly been
turned-over to Cenro-Legazpi. By Thea Omelan, ABS-CBN Bicol
as of 08/27/2009 12:54 AM