Fishermen rescued a leatherback sea turtle trapped in a fishing net in South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi.

The turtle was trapped accidentally in the net while three fishermen were fishing.

The fishermen then brought the turtle to the shore to untangle the fishing net.

“Itong leatherback na turtle accidentally na-trap doon sa fish net nila kaya nung natagpuan nila parang nanibago din naman sila sa hitsura ng leatherback turtle kaya dinala nila dito sa bahay,” a resident said.

According to the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CLENRO)-Tawi-Tawi, it will examine the turtle first before releasing it back into the sea.

“Kailangan tayo ang tumingin sa kanya, kasi nandoon na yun, nadala na nila sa community, so I think na kailangan natin mag-take ng opportunity, ma-record din natin since yung turtle na yun, maaaring record yun sa lugar natin,” CENRO-Tawi-Tawi Officer, Abdulmukim Maruji, said.

Authorities said this was the first time that a leatherback sea turtle was rescued in the province.

“Usually for the entire province of Tawi-Tawi, ang nakikita, yung hawksbill at saka green sea turtle lang so itong leatherback, bibihira, although based on sa mga istorya ng mga resident doon na meron silang nakikita pero wala tayong na-document ever since,” Maruji added.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reminded the public anew not to harm sea turtles in adherence to the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act.