Three Dead, Dozens Sickened After Eating Endangered Sea Turtle in the Philippines

Victims from an Indigenous community fell ill after consuming a toxic sea turtle, highlighting ongoing illegal hunting and consumption practices.

Three members of the Indigenous Teduray community died, and at least 32 were hospitalized after eating a stew made from an endangered sea turtle in Maguindanao del Norte Province.
Symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, with authorities suspecting the turtle became toxic after consuming contaminated algae.
Several dogs, cats, and chickens that were fed the same turtle meat also died, prompting an ongoing investigation into the poisoning's cause.
Hunting and consuming sea turtles is illegal under Philippine environmental laws, but the practice persists in some communities where turtle meat is considered a delicacy or believed to have medicinal properties.
Local officials have called for stricter enforcement of the hunting ban to prevent similar incidents, with most hospitalized victims now discharged.