The Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) personnel released 110 hawksbill marine turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) hatchlings at Little Sta. Cruz Island of Zamboanga City on September 19, 2022.

Mr. Ibrahim Suhaili, an OCENR employee assigned at Great and Little Sta. Cruz Island, reported about the hatchlings to For. Elpidio  DC. Barrera Jr., OCENR Environmental Management Specialist II and the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of the islands. For. Barrera and Ms. Eufemia T. Lorenzo of OCENR immediately went to the island after receiving the report.

Prior to the releasing of hatchlings, the personnel conducted join monitoring of marine turtle nesting site at Great Sta. Cruz Island. During the monitoring, the personnel enclosed the nest with mesh net to protect the eggs from predators.  According to For. Barrera, these eggs are expected to hatch within 45-65 days from the day the eggs were laid.

Hawksbill marine turtle is one of the three marine turtle species in the islands and is considered critically endangered. The other two species which are considered endangered are olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). All these three species of marine turtles are listed on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 

 

 

– Fernandez, M. (2022)