Stop! Pawikan crossing!

     Greetings again faithful readers and fellow bloggers! The iBloggers are back to talk about our latest expedition to the Pawikan Conservation Center (PCC) in Morong, Bataan which was planned and executed by His Coolness, the Urban Guru. We woke up hours before the rooster did for an early start. Together with our batch mates, we took off and drove for over three hours to Morong, Bataan where we hoped to learn about the endangered pawikan at the PCC. Excitement replaced sleepiness as we reached closer and closer to our destination. Grinning from ear to ear, we were looking forward to entering the PCC where we will be able to release pawikan or marine turtle hatchlings into the sea. We were expecting that to be the highlight of our trip.

Pawikan Hatchery

    Upon our arrival to the PCC, we were tongue-tied by the beautiful bamboo huts that were built beside a vast, marvelous beach with stark white sand (which just so happens to be the favorite kind of sand for most marine turtles). Most of us had to exercise a lot of self-control to stop ourselves from diving into the crystal clear waters. There were posters about the marine turtles all over the place and a small pool which served as the home of two injured Olive Ridley Turtles. At the center of the structure, there was a huge diorama that showed the life cycle of the marine turtles. There was also this Pawikan Hatchery where they put the eggs of the marine turtles. The manager of the place, Mr. Ibias, lectured us about the pawikan.

     During his lecture, all of us were shocked to know how much in danger these marine turtles are. Right after these little hatchlings have climbed out of their nest and onto the beach, they are already in danger of being eaten by predators such as the ghost crabs, eagles, and lizards (bayawak). They can also be eaten by large fishes once they get into the sea. But, these are only minor threats. The biggest threat of all to the marine turtles is mankind. Poachers kill these innocent turtles for their precious shells which are made into bangles, frames, glasses, bracelets, ornaments, and many more. Some even make turtle soup out of these animals! There are also people who gather their eggs to be sold and eaten. Although such actions are illegal, the law is barely enforced. Sometimes, these turtles get caught in fishing nets and they get hit by boats.

     Mr. Ibias told us about the different species of marine turtles. From the seven species of pawikan, only five can be spotted in the Philippines. These are the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), the Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), and the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). Of the five different species found in the Philippines, only one species can be seen at the PCC. This is the Olive Ridley Turtle.

Olive Ridley Turtle

Common name: Olive Ridley Turtle
Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Taxonomic classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:         Chordata
Class:         Reptilia
Order:        Testudines
Family:        Cheloniidae
Genus:        Lepidochelys
Species:        L. olivacea


     Olive Ridley turtles are named for their olive-colored shell. They are small turtles and weigh less than 100 pounds. They are found in tropical regions around the world. These turtles are predominantly carnivorous especially during early stages of life when their diet consists mostly of crabs, shrimp, rock lobsters (yeah, cool dudes), jellyfish, and other invertebrates. They also eat algae. When nesting, females come to shore in colonies of up to a thousand turtles and have mass nesting aggregations called arribadas.

Olive Ridley Hatchlings

     Did you know that the brain of the baby turtle has the ability to memorize the location of their place of birth, to which they will return to lay their eggs? This is called an imprinting process. (Impressive! We can't even remember where we placed the TV remote.) Another interesting thing about these babies is that after they have reached the sea, they swim non-stop for 5-7 weeks (beat that Michael Phelps)! They don't eat either because they have a yolk sack on their bellies which feeds them the entire time.

Euxine with a hatchling

    All of us got to release little Olive Ridley hatchlings and that was probably the best part. We heard some friends sighing, "Oh, they grow up so fast!" which is ironic since it takes them some 20-50 years to reach maturity.

    The trip was fun and it completely exceeded our expectations. The iBloggers, along with their friends, had a great time at the PCC and learned so much. Hope you enjoyed reading and until our next adventure!