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It’s a grieving sight ever to see carcasses especially to those animal lovers and advocates who help protect and conserve species and boost its population.

It was unfortunate to start the year witnessing a female Green sea turtle found dead in the shores of a resort in Boracay Island and a week later, another one was found at Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

A carcass of a female Green sea turtle was found off shores of Fairways and Bluewater Boracay in Boracay Island at noontime last January 2, 2020. It was identified as fairly decomposed and has an unpleasant smell with its organs detached, coming out from the center of its carapace that had been sliced. Its death may have been possibly caused by the propellers of boats or ships which crashed on its back, splitting it in two. The carcass was buried after the investigation conducted by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Boracay Island.

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of January 13th, an overpowering smell alarmed the residents of  Brgy. Tuyom, Cauayan, Negros Occidental as they saw a giant carcass of a female Green sea turtle on the shores of the barangay coastal area. It has a carapace length of 90 centimeters and width of 75 centimeters. CENRO Kabankalan personnel seen discoloration on its carapace and flippers, its organs were not intact and they identified it as severely decomposed. The carcass was buried one meter deep, after investigation was made.

Although deaths and grave threats of marine animals, especially turtles, may possibly be caused by boats and ships due to its propellers, other factors could include human intervention such as killing them to harvest their eggs for consumption and selling the carapace for souvenirs, getting tangled in fishing nets, and the presence of plastics swept by our turtles.

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are one of the world’s largest species of turtle that can live up to 80 years in the wild if not harmed. They feed on marine plants such as seaweeds and sea grass. It is considered endangered (E) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"Our Department always supports the protection and conservation of our marine animals. It is a grieving moment to know some of the marine animal species dies in a violent way. We however continue with our conservation efforts to boost the turtle population such as protecting their hatching areas. I therefore encourage all to stop throwing garbage into oceans that slowly but surely kill our marine animals especially turtles," said Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.