Post by admin on May 6, 2015 22:44:23 GMT 8
Tied up sea turtle used as tourist attraction in Guimaras
by Tessa Distor
May 6, 2015
A post about a sea turtle which is reportedly being used as a tourist attraction in Guimaras Island is doing rounds on the Internet.
Facebook user, Donna Belle Islao, posted on Facebook on May 4 two photos of a “baby turtle” which she said is being held “prisoner” at Natago Beach in Guimaras Island.
According to Islao’s post, a hole was drilled on the turtle’s shell in which a rope is attached. Af ter further reviewing the photos she took, Islao wrote that even the hind legs of the turtle are also tied together.
Islao told the Manila Bulletin that a group of caretakers, who appear to be natives of the island, oblige tourists to pay P50 per person which serve as entrance fee to Natago Beach.
“Even though you really don’t want to explore the island [and] you just [went to] see the turtle, they will charge P50 pesos. So I think it’s kind of like [paying for the photo opportunity with the turtle]”, Islao said.
“We were just having our island hopping when our boatman suggested we go to Natago Beach because there is a turtle there”, Islao said in an interview.
When Islao arrived to Natago Beach, there were only few tourists because, as she was told by Guimaras’ natives, the private resort hosting the “turtle tourist attraction” is only new.
“It’s devastating to see these kinds of [cruel] acts in such a wonderful place, Islao noted.
Cohney Aquino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Public Affairs Office said the department is already looking into the matter and is requiring the regional office to draft a report.
Source: www.mb.com.ph/tied-up-sea-turtle-used-as-tourist-attraction-in-guimaras/#dBfE2sLuUfdVDKGh.99
by Tessa Distor
May 6, 2015
A post about a sea turtle which is reportedly being used as a tourist attraction in Guimaras Island is doing rounds on the Internet.
Facebook user, Donna Belle Islao, posted on Facebook on May 4 two photos of a “baby turtle” which she said is being held “prisoner” at Natago Beach in Guimaras Island.
According to Islao’s post, a hole was drilled on the turtle’s shell in which a rope is attached. Af ter further reviewing the photos she took, Islao wrote that even the hind legs of the turtle are also tied together.
Islao told the Manila Bulletin that a group of caretakers, who appear to be natives of the island, oblige tourists to pay P50 per person which serve as entrance fee to Natago Beach.
“Even though you really don’t want to explore the island [and] you just [went to] see the turtle, they will charge P50 pesos. So I think it’s kind of like [paying for the photo opportunity with the turtle]”, Islao said.
“We were just having our island hopping when our boatman suggested we go to Natago Beach because there is a turtle there”, Islao said in an interview.
When Islao arrived to Natago Beach, there were only few tourists because, as she was told by Guimaras’ natives, the private resort hosting the “turtle tourist attraction” is only new.
“It’s devastating to see these kinds of [cruel] acts in such a wonderful place, Islao noted.
Cohney Aquino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Public Affairs Office said the department is already looking into the matter and is requiring the regional office to draft a report.
Source: www.mb.com.ph/tied-up-sea-turtle-used-as-tourist-attraction-in-guimaras/#dBfE2sLuUfdVDKGh.99