6 dugongs, 5 sea turtles spotted off Sultan Kudarat coast

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — Six dugongs (sea cows) and five green sea turtles were spotted foraging off the coast of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, during a marine wildlife monitoring activity this week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Soccsksargen (Region 12) said.

The DENR-12’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Kalamansig used a drone to document the marine animals along the Poral shoreline, covering Barangays Santa Maria and Cadiz, last Oct. 21.

The activity aimed to monitor the animals and assess coastal conditions to help protect marine wildlife and their habitats.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Stranded baby dugong in Antique gets help returning to sea

On Saturday, CENRO Kalamansig said the number of dugongs spotted had increased from one during the previous semester to six in the current semester, highlighting the importance of the town’s coastal waters to marine biodiversity.

READ: DENR steps up protection of sea turtle nesting sites in Aurora

The office continues to document marine wildlife sightings to help guide conservation planning and strengthen protection for the threatened species.

The DENR reminded the public that dugongs and sea turtles are protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which prohibits harming, hunting or trading them.

The public was also urged to report wildlife sightings, stranded animals and possible violations to authorities to support local conservation efforts. /cb