Rare Sighting: Leatherback sea turtle spotted in Cagayan

Santa Ana, Cagayan – A leatherback sea turtle - a marine animal belonging to the largest sea turtle species in the world - was spotted in Cagayan a week ago, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office told PIA Cagayan on Thursday, June 6.

The recent sighting of the said marine specie along the shoreline in Cagayan is the second time in 30 years, as confirmed by Enrique Pasion of PENRO-Cagayan.

Accordingly, the sea turtle was spotted in the area as it started laying eggs last May 30. Said specie tends to dig deep in the sand above the high tide line when laying eggs.

A netizen, upon noticing the sea turtle, promptly reported the sighting to authorities.

PENRO Cagayan, along with partner agencies promptly responded to the report and installed a security measure to protect the turtle and its eggs.

A closed fence was already built around the turtle’s nesting beach for its protection and to allow the more or less 30 sea turtle eggs to incubate. These eggs are expected to be hatched after 60 days and eventually head to the ocean to start their journey toward adulthood.

As relayed by PENRO Cagayan, the said turtle belongs to specie considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The office, meantime, renewed their call to the public for them not to catch, sell and buy animals belonging to wildlife endangered species.

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