Authorities released some 99 Olive Ridley sea turtles into the sea after at least 70 days at the Marine Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Zamboanga Peninsula (DENR-9).

DENR-9 officials led the release of the turtle hatchlings at a beach in Barangay Dohinob, Manuel Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte.

There are 28 active nesting sites of Olive Ridley sea turtles throughout the province.

The marine sea turtles were rescued and translocated at the on-site turtle hatchery by hatchery technician Themistocles Yaco as the nesting site was found to be prone to inundation during high tide. There were also stray dogs in the area.

"This is the result when the DENR and the community work as partners in conservation efforts as it transforms residents to be advocates of marine turtle conservation. Mr. Yaco's unselfish dedication will be recognized as a beacon of hope for marine turtles nesting in the area and a model to emulate for the rest of the residents,” DENR-9 Regional Executive Director Arturo Fadriguela said.

According to PENRO-Zamboanga del Norte, measures have been implemented to address the conservation and protection of turtle hatchlings in the coastal areas in the province known to be the nesting sites for Olive Ridley sea turtles.

"We have identified 28 active nesting sites throughout Zamboanga del Norte and have initiated dialogues and consultations with concerned local government units and stakeholders for the establishment of a Marine Turtle Nesting Sites Network with a proposed multi-partite memorandum of agreement for its institutionalization,” Cidur Julsadjiri of PENRO-Zamboanga del Norte said.

So far, the Marine Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Center was able to release a total of 328 Olive Ridley sea turtles from three out of 14 clutches of pawikan eggs, which were translocated to the hatchery since January 2024 with a high survival rate of 97.62 percent.

“DENR is also reminding everyone that Wildlife species are protected under Republic Act 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act”, which prohibits anybody from collecting, hunting, injuring and killing/destroying of wildlife species, including handling/possessing of wildlife without permits/licenses. They should immediately report to the nearest DENR Office on the presence of injured or captured wildlife for proper disposition,” DENR-9 said.