A sea turtle, locally known as “pawikan,” is found dead and without a head along the shores of Barangay Tapon in Dalaguete town, southern Cebu on Monday afternoon, March 22, 2021. | photo courtesy of Louie Fherds Rebugio via Doris Mondragon
Dalaguete, Cebu—A sea turtle, locally known as “pawikan,” was found dead without a head in the waters off Barangay Tapon here on Monday afternoon, March 22, 2021.
Louie Fherds Rebugio, a resident in the area, was the one who found the turtle at the back of their home along the coast.
He said he was shooting his Vlog (video blog) when he noticed the smell of rotting flesh along the shore. He followed the smell and it led him to the dead sea turtle that was already missing its head.
He told CDN Digital that the turtle was probably died in the water and was washed ashore.
“Washed ashore mani klaro kaayu kay luspad na nya murag giingkitan nag mga isda. Dagko kayg balud ganiha gud. Wa nay ulo, langkat pud iyang flipper sa likod. ‘Nya luspad na gamay, ug medyo baho na siya,” he said.
(I think it was washed ashore because it’s kinda pale and there seem to be bite marks from smaller fish. The waves were big earlier. Its head is gone and so were its back flippers. It was kinda pale and it was already smelling.)
Rebugio said he immediately reported the incident to local officials of Barangay Tapon and personnel immediately responded and assisted in the burial of the sea turtle in the area where it was found.
Barangay Tapon responded and assisted in the burial of the sea turtle along the coast where it was found. | Photos courtesy of Louie Fherds Rebugio via Doris Mondragon #CDNDigital pic.twitter.com/BgTxgXcUb0
— CDN Digital (@cebudailynews) March 23, 2021
“I tried getting in touch with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Municipal Agriculture and Natural Resources Office (Manro) through mail but they didn’t respond probably because they were busy. So I just approached the barangay hall because the sea turtle was already smelling,” he said.
Read: Rescued dolphin found dead near Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City
/bmjo