Pawikan Conservation Center — Attraction in Morong

I wish I could give this even fewer stars. I've been here a few times, but today was definitely the worst. Yes, I did speak with a staff member there. As nice as she was, I genuinely felt like she was only providing excuses for negligence of the turtles at this conservation center.

There was a turtle left out in what I can only describe as a wash basin, unattended, and swimming in filthy water, eating its own feces. Furthermore, there was no one watching this turtle, so children and adults were physically harassing this turtle by holding its head underwater as it struggled or grabbing its shell and spinning it. I had to ask a grown man to please not terrorize the animal as it is clearly showing signs of fear and aggression (it was trying to bite his hand because this man was trying to hold its head underwater).

I went into the main office twice. The woman admitted to me that she witnessed me enter the first time but didn't approach. Then she came when I went in the second time as I absolutely could not leave this turtle be with all the people touching it. I had to tell the same grown man previously mentioned that animals do have feelings, and this is a conservation center, so they should be more respectful of the animals here.

When I asked if the turtle was sick, I was told it was surrendered the day before and that a school was coming to see it. I then proceeded to explain that although that is their business, if they allowed any institute to have access, a private place should've been provided and not just on a ledge of an empty turtle pool where people regularly walk through. Just from us being there, the basin had nearly been knocked off its perch numerous times, and we weren't even there for long. Additionally, there is a hotel on site, and kids would be physically looming ovee this small water basin containing this turtle with open drinks and food.

The lady then told me that she and the caretaker did not notice that people were doing that to the turtle, and that it was good that I said something because they didn't notice. She then told me they do have someone who takes care of the turtle, but he went home. I told her that I felt if that's the case, the turtle should go back indoors, or somewhere safe. But regardless, for her and the caretaker to not notice or to forget they had a live wild animal outside unattended at a conservation center is really sickening.

This conservation center is truly appalling, and yes, I spoke with the lady there, using proper and meaningful words to express my concern. I did not go in yelling and screaming, and I even thanked and apologized to the lady for her time and for coming off strong, if I did. My partner is also PADI licensed, and he was so upset about the situation but could not express it clearly as he does not speak the language.

Please note that this is not the first time I've been here. The other time I was here, it was also an unsanitary and neglectful place for its turtles, but today was just depressing. I felt that the woman was giving me excuses as to why this turtle was left alone like that, and she had quickly ushered the caretaker to take it away, who just took it to this outdoor cooking area. She then made the excuse of telling me it was their first time opening the center up to a wedding reception (which we were there for), and o open it to events but have care for the animals here as that's a core pillar of conservation centers.

For endangered species, I don't feel like they're actually cared for here, despite the conservation center being a place that should be protecting their animals and educating visitors about them. For a place that asks for help saving these animals, I feel like there is truly a lack of care for the turtles there.

Most certainly do not...

Save the Pawikan 🐢

We have chance to witnessed the life cycle of a Pawikan from the laying of eggs up to releasing it into the wild during our sea patrolling the shoreline of Morong Beach.

📍 Pawikan Conservatory Morong Bataan Pawikan Conservatory Center

DID YOU KNOW ⁉️ ✅ Pawikan is called Turtle and Pagong is called Turtoise ✅ Tortoises live entirely on land, while sea turtles live entirely in the water. ✅ After laying the eggs, the female sea turtle covers the nest with sand and returns to the ocean, leaving the eggs to hatch on their own. ✅ They have only one (1) percent of the released sea turtles is expected to survive into adulthood. ✅ Pawikan season starts from November up to February.

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Pawikan Conservation Center has gone beyond its goals of conserving marine turtles in the coast of Bataan, but rather, it has created awareness towards environmental awareness as well. From merely giving refuge to the stranded marine turtles to providing a safe and ideal place for turtle eggs to hatch and be released back to its habitat, the center, through the local and provincial government drumbeats environmental awareness and preservation. The Center acts as host to the annual Pawikan Festival which was already institutionalized, and has gained province-wide support, and slowly, national and international support.

The center's facilities though, need more upgrades to cater to its growing support, primarily for its noble goals, and secondly, as a tourist attraction.

Its management should adapt a broader paradigm than what they had originally envisioned. That is, cater to more sophisticated tourist preferences and...