One Asian Leaf Turtle (๐๐บ๐ค๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐บ๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ต๐ข) was retrieved on March 1, 2021 by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) after it was rescued by Ms. Mercedes B. Reyes of Barangay Masigla, Puerto Princesa City.
Ms. Reyes voluntarily turned over the Asian Leaf turtle, which has a curved carapace length of 17.8 cms., width of 16 cms., and weighs 500 grams.
According to her, it was around 7:00 AM on February 27, 2021 when she noticed the said turtle on top of the pile of logs beside her house. She said that the heavy rain the night before that incident might have caused the turtle to wander till it reached her place.
It was not her first time to turn over wildlife species to the PCSDS office. Having seen and experienced the incidence of people killing, destroying and selling wildlife species for ill purposes years ago, she said she would not allow the turtle or any wildlife species to suffer the same fate under her watch. She just could not let other people take any opportunity to harm or sell the turtle. She also knew that other people might use the turtle for medicinal purposes. These reasons compelled her to turn over the turtle to the agency where she knew the health and safety of the said wildlife species are ensured.
The Asian Leaf Turtle is listed as โLower Riskโ species in the IUCN Red List. If you happen to find any wildlife creature within your vicinity, please report it immediately to our office thru hotline numbers 0935-116-2336 (Globe/TM) and 0948-937-2200 (Smart/TNT). You may also send a message to our Facebook page for your concerns.
