PHILLIPINES : 3 DEAD 32 ILL AFTER EATING TURTLE MEAT

Postmortem report reveals shocking details as three dead and 32 ill after eating turtle meat in the Philippines led to a tragic incident. All were hospitalized in a coastal town in the Maguindanao del Norte province after eating turtle meat. Additionally, several animals, including dogs and cats, died after consuming dishes made from the turtle.

As per environmental protection laws in the Philippines, hunting or consuming endangered sea turtles and other wildlife is strictly prohibited. Violators can face imprisonment and fines. Despite these restrictions, some local communities continue to hunt and eat turtles and other marine species. The local administration is actively conducting awareness campaigns among indigenous tribes to discourage such practices.

Symptoms Reported: Vomiting, Stomach Pain

According to Philippine media reports, hospital authorities revealed that the affected individuals admitted to consuming a stew made from a sea turtle. Shortly after eating the dish, they experienced diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Police investigations found that the turtle was hunted last week.

Turtles Contain Toxic Chelonitoxin

Doctors stated that sea turtles often contain a toxic substance known as *chelonitoxin*, a natural biotoxin that can be fatal. While the exact cause of death will be confirmed following postmortem reports, initial findings suggest that the presence of this toxic substance in the turtle meat likely caused the deaths.