Boracay Island, known for its world-famous white sand beaches, is also a thriving habitat for diverse wildlife.
At the start of 2025, the island witnessed significant conservation efforts with the release of marine turtle hatchlings and a reticulated python back into the wild.
On January 3, 2025, 39 healthy Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtle hatchlings were released at the beach area of Movenpick Resort & Spa in Punta Bunga, Barangay Yapak.
The nesting activity had been monitored since November 4, 2024, by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) in Boracay.
After a single hatchling emerged on January 2, conservation officers decided to excavate the nest the following day to collect the remaining hatchlings.
The late afternoon release coincided with sunset, providing the young turtles the best chance of survival while minimizing predator threats.
Resort management, staff, and tourists witnessed the event and pledged continued cooperation with DENR for future biodiversity conservation efforts.
The release of sea turtle hatchlings has become an eco-tourism attraction, drawing attention to Boracay’s vital role as a nesting site for Olive Ridleys.
Another wildlife rescue effort took place on January 14, 2025, when a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) was safely turned over to DENR-CENRO Boracay and released into a forest area in Barangay Yapak.
The python, weighing approximately two kilograms and measuring 1.5 meters in length, was found by local resident Niel Brian Mediavilla in his boarding house.
Mediavilla promptly reported the discovery to DENR authorities, ensuring the safe relocation of the snake to its natural habitat.
DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla praised CENRO Boracay and the local community for their dedication to wildlife conservation.
“Indeed, Boracay Island is a haven for the nesting female Olive Ridleys. These ongoing wildlife conservation efforts in the island highlight our commitment to protecting and conserving the unique wildlife – each with a crucial role to play in the delicate balance of the island ecosystem of Boracay,” Lorilla said.
Boracay’s growing reputation as a wildlife conservation hub underscores the importance of responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. (DENR-6)
