SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — More than 100 baby sea turtles (pawikan) emerged from their nest inside a beach resort here and crawled into the open sea to begin their voyage from their birth place. The newly hatched olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were aided by students and tourists who helped the animals navigate the beach towards the waters off Subic Bay on Tuesday (Jan. 10). Sebial said 92 other olive ridley hatchlings were released into Subic Bay on Jan. 4. Marife Castillo, an officer of the Olongapo City community environment and natural resources office, said olive ridley was among the three species of sea turtles found in Zambales province. Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are also seen in the province’s waters, according to Castillo.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 12, 2017 18:13 UTC