𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞

According to Paolo Mercado, the turtle was found in their backyard in the early morning of 24 July 2022. This was the first incident when a turtle was discovered within their premises. With no knowledge of how to take care of the species but with a passionate concern for its well-being,  Mercado took to social media and posted snaps of the turtle on his Facebook Story. One of the viewers advised him that it would be best to turn over the species to the PCSDS, to which Mercado gladly obliged.  Mercado described himself as an individual that is enthusiastic about the conservation and protection of wildlife.

The Southeast Asian Back Turtle was brought to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), and was found to be in good shape.  It was released to its natural habitat on the same day it was turned over in an undisclosed, suitable area in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The Southeast Asian Box Turtle is listed as “Endangered Species” under PCSD Resolution No. 15-521. 

The PCSDS is urging persons who happen to find or rescue wildlife to turn them over to our office, which can be contacted thru PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Unit (WEU) hotline numbers 09319642128 (TNT) and 09656620248 (TM) or thru PCSDS Front Desk hotline numbers 0935-116-2336 (Globe/TM) and 0948-937-2200 (Smart/TNT). You may also send a message to our Facebook page with your concerns.