Environmental protection officials in Palawan rescued at least 979 rare and critically endangered turtles that were heading to the Chinese black market.
The turtles were confiscated from three wildlife traffickers on Sunday in the northern town of Taytay.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development enforcers and members of the Provincial Law Enforcement Task Force, brought the turtles to Puerto Princesa the following day for proper disposition and inventory.
The turtles were Southeast Asian box turtles, Asian leaf turtles, and Philippine pond turtles – all three have been listed as ‘vulnerable, lower risk or near threatened, and critically endangered.”
The three wildlife traffickers will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9147 (the Philippine Wildlife Act).
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