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The Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Unit (PAMBCU) of Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Zamboanga City rescued a marine turtle on April 21, 2023, off the coast or shore of Purok I, Delos Santos Drive, Barangay Labuan, this city.

According to Labuan Barangay Chairman Ronald O. Maravilla, the said wildlife was seen along the shore around 5:00 o’clock in the morning of April 21, 2023. Although the area is enclosed by a barbed wire fence, it's possible that the species laid eggs there or simply passed by, as it was seen digging along the coast.

The PAMBCU team conducted an assessment and identification of the wildlife. Upon proper verification, it was identified as a Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and measured to have a curved carapace length of 89cm and a 79cm carapace width, weighing 70 kg. The gender was identified as a female, determined by the tail and adult size, and is categorized as an Endangered Species (ES) as per DAO 2019-09.

Per the assessment of the team, the marine turtle was found healthy, active, and suitable for release back into its natural habitat. Prior to its release, the said wildlife was marked with serial numbers by tagging its left flipper with PH 0668I and PH 0669I on its right flipper.

The green sea turtle's scientific name (Chelonia mydas) refers to its taxonomic classification within the family Cheloniidae. The common name "green sea turtle" is derived from the green coloration of the fat under its shell. In some areas, the green turtle is also called the black sea turtle.

Green sea turtles are characterized by their smooth and flattened shells, which are typically olive-brown in color. They have paddle-like flippers adapted for swimming, and their primary sources of food are seagrasses, algae, and other marine plants. These turtles can be found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, where they inhabit coastal areas such as seagrass beds, coral reefs, and lagoons.

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