Farmer’s ‘paw patrol’ discovers nest of newly laid sea turtle eggs in La Union

A farmer and his “paw patrol” discovered a newly laid nest of 117 sea turtle eggs along the shoreline of San Juan in La Union over the weekend.

The pawikan conservation program Project Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA) has lauded farmer Johnny Manglugay, along with his four dogs, for their dedication to the conservation and protection of sea turtles.

In a Facebook post, the non-government organization said that last Sunday, Manglugay went to search for sea turtle nests with his dogs Bantay, Bulak, Totoy, and Totay.

They had traveled down a four-kilometer stretch of the beach when they discovered the nest.

Carlos Tamayo, member of the La Union-based Project CURMA, said the eggs were transferred to a hatchery for safekeeping in order to protect them from the effects of climate change and predation.

“It is our job as humans to be the caretakers of nature. The pandemic we are facing is largely due to our neglect and abuse of the planet and its resources,” Tamayo said in an interview with GMA News Online.

The discovered 117 eggs are estimated to hatch on November 30.

According to Tamayo, Manglugay and his paw patrol are part of the Pawikan patrollers.

Last season, they found 21 turtle nests, which resulted in around 2,000 hatchlings, he said.

Upon hatching, the baby sea turtles will be released in the same area where their nest was found.

“Sea turtles are referred to as a ‘keystone species,’ meaning they are a main part of the coastal and ocean ecosystem,” Tamayo explained.

“If they disappear, many other species will disappear and will cause an imbalance in the ecosystem,” he added.

Project CURMA has implemented activities including beach cleanups, turtle patrols, and hatchling releases.

Volunteers are welcome to assist in the conservation efforts and can witness the releasing of thousands of hatchlings during the turtle season in September until February. — BM, GMA News