The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte, has successfully released a rescued and rehabilitated Olive Ridley sea turtle back into its natural habitat on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Zamboanga Peninsula (DENR-9) said the turtle was released along the shore of Barangay Dohinob, President Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte.

The DENR-9 Peninsula said the turtle was rescued on Thursday after a report from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, regarding a distressed marine turtle found swimming toward the shoreline of Barangay Upper Inuman.

The turtle was initially spotted by a resident, Cirilo Orong, and Upper Inuman village councilor Reynaldo Silvano, who immediately rescued the turtle and coordinated with concerned authorities.

The turtle weighed approximately 15 kilograms and measured 55 centimeters in curved carapace length and 58 centimeters in curved carapace width.

“Physical examination revealed that the turtle was weak and had a deep cut wound on its head, requiring immediate treatment and rehabilitation,” the DENR-Zamboanga Peninsula said in a statement.

The DENR-9 Peninsula said the turtle was brought to the Dohinob Pawikan Hatchery and Rescue Center, where it received proper care, treatment, and monitoring with the assistance of Dr. Sunday Dawn Bagatua of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Veterinary Office.

The turtle was fitted with flipper tags PH1213A (left flipper) and PH1214A (right flipper) after showing significant recovery before it was successfully released back into the sea. (PNA)