The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Boracay Island led by Forester Joannette S. Opeda, together with the management of the Boracay Newcoast, facilitated the rescue of a stranded adult male Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostis).

 The said assistance was carried out at Boracay Newcoast, Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan in the late afternoon of January 23, 2023.

The subadult dolphin measures about 1.7 meters in length with an estimated weight around 40 kilograms. It has sustained minor scratches during a physical assessment by the CENRO Boracay personnel.  

“Around 5pm we received information from the Boracay Newcoast management about the struggling dolphin wandering around the keyhole beach side as seen by their lifeguard. But because of the strong current in the keyhole, we decided to transport the dolphin to a calmer sea area, around 3 kms away from western seaboard of Boracay island,” CENRO Opeda recounted.

CENRO Boracay also acknowledged the help of Russel Palmer, President of Boracay Water Sports Association and the Fairways and Blue Water, for his immediate response and provision of the transportation for the dolphin rescue.

“After the release of turtle hatchlings in Boracay Island, the rescue and release of a Spinner dolphin took place. The DENR lauded the effort and coordination of our stakeholders in the island of Boracay for an active participation in terms of biodiversity protection and conservation,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

“The DENR 6 encourages the public to report such events and happenings to the authorities for proper assessment and handling of our precious wildlife,” RED Duran added.

Spinner dolphins are most frequently encountered aquatic mammal in near shore waters of the Pacific Island Region. They are known as the most acrobatic among dolphins and are known for their habit of leaping out of water, then spin up to seven times before falling back into the water.

As a protocol in rescuing marine mammal and to prevent further stressing out the dolphin, a blanket/towel heavily sprinkled with water was used to cover over its body.

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Published: 06 February 2023

In the afternoon of January 12, 2023, eighty-three (83) healthy Olive Ridley marine turtle hatchlings emerged from its nest at the beachfront of New Coast Boracay Properties in Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Boracay Personnel together with the Forest Protection Officers assisted and documented the immediate released before the sun sets.

The recording of turtle species laying eggs in the island of Boracay is a visible proof of the richness of the marine ecosystem and water resources around the island. DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran reminds the public to be more cautious in dealing marine animals and other living creatures.

“After the recent arrest of poachers found violating the Republic Act (RA) 9147 or the Wildlife Conservation Act and RA 10654 Section 102 or the Hunting/Taking of Wildlife in Sulu last January 22, 2023, the DENR 6 are intensifying the need to more educate the public and guard this beautiful marine creature and other creature found in land, air and water,” RED Duran said.

The Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is considered a vulnerable (VU) species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List./

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Published: 25 January 2023

The Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Culasi received and information on January 20, 2023 from Antique Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) about the three (3) Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) that was stranded in Brgy. San Isidro, Tibiao, Antique.

CENRO CULASI personnel, together with Antique MARPSTA proceeded to the area and immediately checked the health condition of the marine turtles. As per assessment, barnacles (highly specialized crustaceans) were present in the plastron and carapace of the three marine turtles. The measurement of the Curved Carapace Length (CCL) and Curved Carapace Width (CCW) were individually measured; 1) CCL-80 cm, CCW-72 cm; 2) CCL-51 cm, CCW-45 cm; and, 3) CCL-44 cm, CCW-40 cm.

Before releasing, the two marine turtles were tagged with 1753B and 1755B, respectively. The 3rd one was not tagged since it has not reached 45 cm which is the standard length in tagging marine turtles.

The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle. They are unique among sea turtles in that they are herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae. This diet is what gives their fat a greenish color (not their shells), which is where their name comes from.

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Published: 25 January 2023

What else could make the elderly feel loved? In the spirit of generosity and love during the Yuletide season, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Capiz under the leadership of PENR Officer Joel L. Navarra serenaded the elderly women at the Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged in Sunshine Village, Brgy. Banica, Roxas City in December 7, 2022. This activity was part of the 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women.

PENRO Capiz also distributed gift and food packs, alcohol, and fruit bearing tree seedlings to the elderlies. Ladies of Charity Home for the Aged President, Nenita A. Beluso, was duly represented by its Vice President Selfa D. Umiten, with its Asst. Home Administrator Teresita B. Villaruz, during the activity. The distribution of gift packs was spearheaded by the Chief Administrative and Finance Accountant Rubi Frio, Chief Planning Section Mary Grace M. Molina and Chief RPS Pascual I. Ongco, Jr.

A tree growing activity was also done within the vicinity by the PENRO Capiz personnel and staff from the Ladies of Charity Home.

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Published: 25 January 2023

Boracay Island is still a turtle haven as they keep on laying eggs and turtle hatchlings are seen once again crawling back to its home – the vast ocean.

During the beautiful sunset of December 6, 2022, in one of the world's beautiful beach, another majestic moment was witnessed by the locals and tourists: a total of 77 Olive ridley turtle hatchlings emerged from its nest.

The turtle eggs were safely moved to a higher ground by CENRO Boracay personnel upon its discovery last October 2022, because the nesting site can be reached by the sea water during high tide and monsoon as per experiences in the past years, and it was a recreational area.

The DENR CENRO Boracay thru the PAMBCU/Coastal Unit Personnel and the Management of Movenpick Resort and Spa facilitated the release of the healthy marine turtle hatchlings.

This is one indicator and achievement for the goals of rehabilitation and recovery of ecosystems in Boracay island as well as in the conservation and protection of these threatened species.

“Seeing those tiny flippers of hatchlings crawling back to its home is a strong proof that Boracay Island have indeed regained back its healthy marine waters,” said DENR 6 Regional Director Livino B. Duran.

RED Duran also lauded the efforts of CENRO Boracay led by CENR Officer Joanette S. Opeda in the implementation of biodiversity conservation in the island. “The efforts and vigilance of CENRO Boracay along with its close collaboration with the private sectors to ensure biodiversity protection and conservation, is truly commendable,” he added.

The Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is considered a vulnerable (VU) species while the Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is considred critically endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. Both of these marine turtle species keep coming back and lay eggs in the soft, white sands of Boracay Island./DENR 6

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Published: 09 December 2022