Endangered marine life surge reported off Kalamansig coast

A significant increase in endangered marine life has been documented off the coast of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. During a monitoring mission on October 21, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Kalamansig used aerial drones to observe wildlife along the Poral shoreline, specifically near Barangays Santa Maria and Cadiz.

The drone footage captured six dugongs foraging in seagrass beds and five green sea turtles. This represents a notable ecological shift, as researchers had recorded only a single dugong in the same area just six months prior.

Local authorities emphasized that both dugongs and green sea turtles are strictly protected under Republic Act 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. CENRO Kalamansig is using this data to inform local conservation strategies and has called on the community to prevent plastic pollution and avoid disturbing the animals.