An endangered sea turtle, caught in a net by fishermen off the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, received a new lease of life on Saturday after local officials learned of its plight and arranged to have it freed.
The district officials heard that fishermen had caught the sea turtle earlier in the day and asked them to turn it over, saving it from possibly being sold for its meat, a common practice among some fisherfolk.
The green sea turtle, weighing about 100 kilograms (220 pounds), had a wound of unknown origin on one flipper which was treated by fishery officials before it was carried to the beach by several men and set free.
Crowds of curious children applauded as they gathered to see the animal move down the beach before it disappeared into the water.
“We consider this species as endangered and we will continue to educate the people about the importance of protecting animal species,” Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said.
Many endangered species such as sea turtles and sharks are often caught and butchered by impoverished local fishermen for sale or for their meat.