THE personnel from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have released 81 hawksbill turtle hatchlings in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Zamboanga City.
The Bisaya-Bisaya Island is part of the so-called 11 group of islands in eastern side of the city.
The OCENR said in a statement that it was the second and biggest release of hatchlings since a turtle nesting site in 11 Islands was monitored by the village officials of Dita in August 2019.
The OCENR said the first release was done last September 26 at Siromon Island, also part of the group of islands, with 26 hawksbill turtle hatchlings.
The hatchlings were identified as Hawksbill Turtles with scientific name Eretmochelys Imbricata, an endangered specie.
Meanwhile, the OCENR and DENR officials appealed for the continuous support of stakeholders and local communities to protect marine biodiversity in the city. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)