BY SHIELA G. GELERA
A wounded sea turtle and a python were turned over recently to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office reported yesterday.
The wounded endangered green sea turtle, locally known as “pawikan”, is now undergoing rehabilitation and monitoring at the Coastal Resource Management Office of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, the report said.
Concerned citizens Miguel Intanes and Zaldy Cabelloro of Barangay Guadalupe in San Carlos saved the sea turtle in Sitio Sto. Niño in the barangay on August 16, and turned it over later to the CENRO.
Its left fore flipper and both hind flippers were mutilated due to entanglement. Its length is 47 cm. and 48 cm in width, the report showed.
Meanwhile, the reticulated 3.5-meter-long python, that was rescued in Barangay Balintawak, Escalante City in Negros Occidental, was turned over to CENRO in Cadiz City on August 19.
It was in good health and released back to its habitat on the same day, the report said.
The harming or trade of wildlife is prohibited under Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
The public is urged to report immediately any sightings of wildlife to nearest authorities, the PENRO added.*
