press room

138 Olive Ridley hatchlings released at Pico de Loro Cove

Share This Post

SM Prime’s premier eco-tourism development, Hamilo Coast, continues to be a haven for sea turtles. Out of five marine turtle species residing in the Philippines, three can be found in the area – the Olive Ridley, Green and Hawksbill.

Approximately 138 newly hatched Olive Ridley turtles have been  released as of November 2019 to the coastal waters of Pico Beach in Hamilo Coast. These events are much-celebrated in Hamilo Coast as the Olive Ridley turtle is the most abundant yet the most vulnerable due to poaching and pollution.

More turtle nests are expected to hatch by the year-end.

Data from the Hamilo Coast Sustainability Team shows that an average of five nest sightings are recorded per year, particularly during the hatching season of August to December. Actual nests are indicated by tracks left by the mother turtle.  Unfortunately, these traces are easily washed away by rain and waves, making locating these nests difficult. According to the Hamilo Coast Sustainability Team, “The coves of Hamilo Coast are nesting grounds for these turtles to lay their eggs. We proactively monitor and protect these nests until the eggs hatch and the hatchlings are immediately released. Protecting the nests will help keep predators away, thereby increasing these gentle creatures’ survivability rate and chances of growing to maturity.” 

Sadly, only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. Turtles mistake plastic for jellyfish, a mainstay in their normal diet. As a result, many turtles die due to suffocation and indigestion — truly another strong argument against throwing trash indiscriminately and using single-use plastics.

Providing a safe haven for nesting turtles is only one of the many sustainability initiatives of Hamilo Coast. Other programs to sustain and conserve the marine environment include the declaration of select coves as Marine Protected Areas, marine mammal rescue training and cultivation of true giant clams.

###

About Hamilo Coast

Hamilo Coast is a master-planned seaside residential community in Nasugbu, Batangas. Developed and managed by Costa del Hamilo, Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime, it is approximately 90 minutes from Manila via Cavitex and the new Ternate-Nasugbu Road. Pico de Loro Cove is the maiden residential development within Hamilo Coast. For inquiries, call (632) 7-945-8000 or visit www.hamilocoast.com.

More to Explore

Blog

The PRemise: Issues Driving Conversations this Year

Industry pundits have shared trends forecasts for the year, their projections building on developments in 2024. Besides sunrise and sunset industries, predictions cover new technologies

Ardent icon white

How can we work together?

Drop us an email, ring our office or follow us on social media.