Cadiz City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) officials recently revealed a green sea turtle, considered an endangered species, was rescued in Sagay City’s Barangay Bulanon.

According to a release, CENRO personnel, who were at the Sagay City Feeder Port building, met Police Officer 3 (PO3) Jess B. Arnado, who was holding a basin carrying a turtle. The officer reported the reptile was spotted by local residents along the seashore in Barangay Bulanon.

Following its rescue by local police, the turtle was being transferred to the Museo sang Bata sa Negros, in order to place it in one of their aquariums as they waited for proper officials to conduct an examination of the animal.

The turtle was identified as a juvenile green sea turtle, which, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is endangered. The animal was eventually evaluated as healthy and in good condition, with no impairments or tags found, and no external organisms attached to any parts of its body.

The turtle was eventually released.

WWF reports green sea turtles are under threat from an overharvesting of eggs, the hunting of adults, getting caught in fishing gear, and losing nesting beach sites./WDJ