Olive ridley babies return to sea

Boracay Island- They may look fragile as they flap their little flippers on the white sandy shore of Boracay beach to get to the sea. Such sea turtle infantile frenzy is nothing short of miracle.

From the time a mama sea turtle lays her eggs in the sand, up until the time her eggs become hatchlings, they are exposed to all types of predators. Around the world, sea turtle’s eggs and hatchlings are in danger of being eaten by the ghost crabs, dogs, foxes, pigs and
raccoons. So when they finally emerged out of their sandy nests and rapidly make their way to the ocean, the miracle of life is too good to witness. It is during this infantile frenzy that baby turtles use their reserved yolk to fuel their movement from the shore to the open sea.

Boracay Island is blessed to be home to Olive ridleys. On the first day of February 2025, ninety four (94) Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles were successfully released back into the ocean at Balinghai Beach located in Brgy. Yapak, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

The conservation effort of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Boracay of this unique marine animal is being supported by the management of Boracay New Coast. They played a vital role in keeping the sea turtle eggs’ protection and
incubation of the 94 ridley hatchlings. They have kept watch over the nest at their area where a mama Olive ridley laid eggs last December 30, 2024. Indeed, ridleys are loved and are well- protected by the people in the island.

When it’s time to make their way home to the sea, Boracay New Coast closely coordinated with CENRO Boracay through CENR Officer Joanette Opeda for the official release of the ridley hatchlings. This was the second time in a year when Boracay saw the reunion of
hatchlings to the sea. The first one was on January 3, 2025 with 39 Olive ridleys.

Under the DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 (Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and Their Categories), Olive ridley is classified as Endangered (EN). Contributary to its Endangered status is the destruction of its natural habitats, overutilization and other man-made factors.

“Let us continue protecting this unique marine animal as they play a vital role in keeping the marine ecosystem healthy. We are grateful to the people in the island for their love and concern to sea turtles. Whenever they lend a hand, it is a win for the conservation,” said OIC
Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).