Pawikans back in Burgos
BURGOS–The pawikans (giant sea turtles) are back at their nesting grounds at the fine, white sand beach here, four months after the area was battered by Typhoon Cosme.
“This is good news to us and we are very happy to welcome them back,” Mayor Domingo Doctor Jr. told The PUNCH.
The town’s Bantay Dagat and residents have reported the return of the pawikans at the 12-kilometer beach area in Barangay Ilio-ilio, which has been declared by the local government as a protected area for hatching.
The area was heavily devastated by Typhoon Cosme, which hit the northern and central Luzon regions on May 17 and left many houses destroyed.
The pawikans left the area after the storm and the local government was uncertain whether they would return.
About 10 rare species of turtles were found here last year, among them are the Olive Ridley and Leatherback.
They lay their eggs here and the Bantay Dagat as well as people from the community helps in protection efforts by keeping watch against thieves and setting up nets to prevent the hatchlings from prematurely going out into the sea.
The turtles have long been using the area as a nesting ground but their numbers became endangered following years of imprudent catching as turtle meat is popular in the market for its reported aphrodisiac and health benefits.
But Domingo, who first assumed office in 2001, introduced a program to protect the creatures and their habitat.
“Parang may exclusive subdivision na sila dito,” he said.
The pawikans have become a tourist attraction in the area as snorkelers are able to swim with them and divers get to observe them at the coral reefs.#
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