Leatherback turtle dies after washing ashore in Guimbal, Iloilo

Residents of Barangay Santa Rosa in Guimbal, Iloilo, discovered on Saturday a weakened leatherback sea turtle that had washed ashore. 

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras" Wednesday, the residents did not think twice and immediately called authorities for assistance. 

Hananiah Sollesta-Pitogo, associate researcher and officer-in-charge at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) FishWorld, identified the leatherback turtle as a female. 

It has a curved carapace length (CCL) of 118 centimeters, a curved carapace width (CCW) of 86 centimeters, and an estimated weight of 150 kilograms. 

Unfortunately, the leatherback turtle was already lifeless when authorities arrived. 

"Physically, may nakita kaming mga trauma sa katawan. It's possible po na naanod then tumama po siya sa matitigas na bagay, pwedeng maging bato or mga boat and when we opened, clear naman 'yung intestine. However, nung inuka namin 'yung heart and lungs, ruptured na rin po," explained Sollesta-Pitogo. 

According to Sollesta-Pitogo, a ruptured heart and lungs are usually primarily caused by severe physical trauma.

"Dinala po natin siya dito sa FishWorld museum for proper examination and preservation. 'Yung carcass niya po right now is under formalin preservation," she added. 

According to Kuya Kim, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is known as the largest living turtle species. It may measure up to two meters and weigh up to 700 kilograms or more. 

These turtles are called leatherback as their carapace or shell is not hard, and instead feels like thick, leathery skin. They are excellent swimmers, journeying thousands of miles during migration season. They are also able to reach cold parts of the ocean. 

Kuya Kim noted that leatherback turtles are now vulnerable due to pollution, illegal fishing, and the destruction of their nesting sites. —CDC, GMA News