All species of pawikan (sea turtle) are considered endangered, and a huge responsibility for conservation rests on our shoulders since our shores are a favorite nesting ground. The amazing thing about sea turtles is that females always go back to lay eggs in the same beach where they were born - they know exactly where it is 25years later!
The Pawikan Conservation Center located in Morong, Bataan is run by locals who work purely as volunteers - and they actually used to be poachers. Realizing the need for conservation, they organized themselves into an association and they have been running the center for 12 years now. Every single night they patrol the shore, move eggs to the protected area and release the baby turtles. They've released over 52,000 hatchlings so far! With an estimate of only 1% of hatchlings making it into adulthood, they know that every single egg will make a difference.
I hope my turtle comes swimming back to the shores of Morong after 25 years to lay her own batch of 100 turtle eggs!! :-)
We also had time for a sidetrip to the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) up in Mount Samat, Pilar Bataan. This serves as a memorial for the brave American and Filipino soldiers in the Battle of Marlon Bataan, survivors of whom were later led on the the Bataan Death March. The shrine is a moving reminder of the horrors of war and the gallantry of people who fought in it.
I joined this awesome tour organized by Route +63 Sustainable Travels Inc. Check their website for other upcoming trips! :-)
www.route63travels.com
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| Entrance to the Center. They have several dorm rooms and private rooms available for overnight stays, or one can opt to pitch a tent in their camping grounds. Not to worry - clean public showers are available. |
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| Chairperson of the center giving a very educational talk about sea turtles - their habitat, mating habits, conservation issues, and a history of the volunteer work that they've been doing here. |
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| The hatchling area, where nests uncovered from the beach are moved for protection. Each nest can contain 100-200 eggs, and will take almost 2 months for full incubation. Turtles dig their way up and out of the sand once they hatch. |
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| We were lucky to witness hatchlings digging their way out of the sand and into the world! They're still covered in sand, as one can see. Look at their opal-like eyes... kinda creepy. Hehehe |
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| This is our group under Route +63 Sustainable Travels Inc.! As part of the package, they took care of the transportation from Manila t Balanga, Bataan via bus, transfers to Morong and back, 4 meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast and lunch on Day 2), accommodation at the center, and the sidetrip to Dambana ng Kagitingan. |
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| My sea turtle! We woke up early the 2nd day - 6:00am to be exact - to take part in releasing the hatchlings into the sea. We watched them scamer on the sand and find their way into the water, with the waves finally eating them up. Pretty cool too when they start swimming with nothing but their tiny heads jutting out of the water |
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| The Pawikan Consevation Center's beachfront during sunset, with kids playing around. |
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| View of the Pawikan Conservation Center from the beach |
