The Community Environment and Natural Resources officer of Negros Oriental has ordered another investigation of the reported inhumane conditions of green sea turtles in a facility in Zamboanguita town.

Mario Aragon said probe will determine whether the operators of the facility, that has been granted a Certificate of Wildlife Registration for the turtles, have complied with earlier recommendations to improve the living conditions of the endangered species.

Oscar Mongcopa, chief of the CENRO II Protected Areas and Wildlife Sector,  yesterday went to the Oceanarium in Zamboanguita, to check on reports that green turtles (Chelonia mydas), are subjected to harsh conditions.

Reports said the turtles are held in a small concrete tank that barely gives them swimming space. They are also prone to “human abuse” with visitors poking, touching their shells, and tugging at their flippers.

The inspection will determine the legal action that CENRO will recommend to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7, Aragon said.

The Chelonia mydas is listed as an endangered species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.*JFP

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