Bataan Kids Save Baby Turtles

by Agent Searchlight

Copied from gameguru.in

In the fantasy world of super heroes, turtles took their share of fame when a US-based studio started publishing a comic series of a team of four anthropomorphic turtles known as ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ way back in 1984.


These ‘Ninja Turtles’ were known to be hunters of criminals and saviours of community as they are equipped with gadgets and trained in martial arts. In the Philippines, thousands of kids were really hooked by its weekly television series during the 90’s.


But turtles as hunters and saviors only happen in the fictional world. In reality, turtles are hunted who need saviors. Thanks to the group of kids in Limay, Bataan, north of the capital Manila, who were able to save a bunch of baby turtles last December 27, 2010, as reported by UNTV.


The children discovered the newly hatched Pawikans (marine turtles in Filipino) on a nesting beach in the vicinity of the town of Limay. After adults in the area were informed by the children, the  latter notified the local environmental authorities. Moments later, the baby pawikans were then freed to the sea.


In many parts of the world today, turtles are becoming extinct because these animals are being sold for man's consumption. Turtle meat is considered a delicacy in many cultures especially in Asian countries like China.


In the Philippines alone, many species of these harmless turtles are facing extinction due to poaching and hunting according to OceanHeritage.com.ph, a website formed by a group of Filipino environmentalists dedicated to raise awareness on marine conservation.


There are currently pawikan conservation centers in the municipalities of Morong and Bagac, Bataan through the initiative of Bantay Pawikan Inc., a non-government organization.


To intensify the public’s awareness on the conservation of turtles especially along the coastal villages, there is an annual Pawikan Festival in Morong,Bataan held every end of November. The highlight of the said event is the release of baby turtles back to the sea from the hatcheries of conservation centers.


The local government of Limay, Bataan, through its environment committee is now eyeing to establish its own conservation center for turtles.