Wildlife

Palawan turtles rescued from extinction

Thousands of rare forest turtles have been rescued from horrifying conditions of captivity in Palawan, saving the critically endangered animals from possible extinction, wildlife experts said Wednesday.

More than 4,000 live freshwater turtles and 90 dead ones were found in a pond inside a remote warehouse in Palawan four weeks ago in one of the country’s biggest wildlife rescues, they said.

They included 3,831 Palawan forest turtles, a critically endangered species found only on the north of Palawan, as well as 160 Asian leaf turtles and 25 Southeast Asian box turtles.

The reptiles had apparently been stored without food and water for up to six months, and veterinarians worked round the clock to save the animals, she said in a statement.

The turtles were apparently destined for pet and food markets in Hong Kong and China, the statement said.

“This number equalled the estimated remaining population of Palawan forest turtle in the wild, hence bringing the species to the brink of extinction,” it added.

Many of the rescued turtles suffered from a variety of ailments and injuries, and some 360 others have since died. About 230 are still being treated, while the rest were released back into the wild, Schoppe said.