Tragedy Strikes as Consumption of Endangered Sea Turtle Leads to Multiple Deaths in the Philippines.
In a shocking incident, three people have died and at least 32 others have been hospitalized in the Philippines after consuming a stew made from an endangered sea turtle.
The incident occurred in a seaside town in Maguindanao del Norte Province, where the indigenous Teduray people reportedly indulged in the traditional delicacy.
According to officials, the victims experienced symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal spasms after eating the sea turtle dish, known as adobo. Tragically, the three individuals who succumbed to the poisoning were buried immediately, in line with local tradition.
While the hunting and consumption of sea turtles is strictly prohibited under the Philippines’ environmental protection laws, the practice persists in some communities as a traditional culinary practice. Experts warn that sea turtles that consume contaminated algae can become toxic when cooked and eaten.
Irene Dillo, a local official, revealed that even some of the dogs, cats, and chickens that were fed the same sea turtle also died. Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the deaths.
Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr., a local councillor, has pledged to enforce the ban on sea turtle hunting more strictly in the region, vowing that such a “food poisoning incident will never happen again.”
This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred in the Philippines. In 2013, a similar incident in Eastern Samar Province resulted in 68 people falling ill and four deaths after consuming a sea turtle found near their village.
The latest incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers and consequences of the illegal hunting and consumption of endangered species, despite efforts to enforce environmental protection laws.
