Naic ‘pawikan’ conservation facility releases 78 sea turtle hatchlings

The conservation center here released 78 Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings to their natural habitat on November 26 at the shores of Barangay Labac here as the breeding season starts.

Councilors Teresa Puno and Eimeren Nazareno together with Naic Tourism head Lady Anne Lopez led the release of hatchlings to the sea.

Barangay Labac chairman Roger Bilugan said more hatchlings are scheduled to be released to the sea in the next few days, even though many were affected by Typhoon “Paeng” on October 30. Some eggs failed to hatch and broke because the sand got submerged by the swollen sea after the typhoon, Bilugan noted.

“Three turtles came to lay their eggs here at the facility, two with tags, meaning they came here to lay their eggs, and one new one without a tag,” Bilugan said.

The environment group, One Pawikan, donated 30-tonner bags to create a revetment wall to hold and lessen erosion of the nesting areas and central hatchlings.

“The tags serve as our signs that it came from here with a date written on it,” Bilugan added.

PHOTO BY DENNIS ABRINA A sea turtle hatchling from the Labac Conservation Facility, which was established to protect the now endangered species. The facility also serves the coastal towns of Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Maragondon and Ternate.