Three people have died and at least 32 have been hospitalized in the Philippines after eating an endangered sea turtle cooked in a stew.
Dozens of Teduray natives have reported symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach upset since eating the dish last week in the coastal town of Maguindanao del Norte province, officials said.
Although it is illegal to hunt or eat sea turtles under Philippine environmental protection laws, the sea turtle is still eaten as a regular dish in some communities.
But sea turtles that feed on contaminated algae – including those that appear healthy – can be dangerous if cooked and eaten.
Other dogs, cats and chickens that were fed the same sea turtle also died, Irene Dillo, a local official, told the BBC. He added that the authorities are investigating the cause of death.
The sea turtle was cooked as adobo, a popular Filipino dish that combines meat and vegetables marinated in vinegar and soy sauce.
Residents of Datu Blah Sinsuat, a coastal town known for its white, sandy beaches and crystal clear water, usually get their food from the sea. “It was unfortunate because there is a lot of other seafood in her area – lobsters, fish,” said Ms. Dillo.
A sea turtle shell that was eaten [Courtesy of Irene Dillo]
Most of the hospitalized residents have been discharged, local media reported, and the three who died were immediately buried – in accordance with local tradition.
Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr, the local councillor, said he told local officials to enforce the ban on hunting sea turtles in the region, vowing that “this poisoning incident will not happen again”.
Many sea turtle species are classified as endangered, and it is illegal in the Philippines to collect, harm or kill any of them. However in some cultures sea turtles are hunted for their meat and eggs, which are believed to contain medicinal properties.
In 2013, 68 people in the Philippine province of Eastern Samar fell ill – and four of them died – after eating a sea turtle found near their village.
Source link
