A wildlife trade monitoring network has sounded the alarm on the massive illicit trading of the Philippine forest turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), previously thought to be extinct until rediscovered by scientists in Palawan forests 19 years ago. The illegal trade of the critically endangered species is comparable to “puppy mills,” where breeders hide behind legal loopholes and illegal documents to carry out local and international commercial sale. The Philippine forest turtle is among the top 25 “most endangered” turtle species in the world, with known populations in the wild traced to Dumaran Island and northern Palawan, according to the London-based wildlife trade watchdog, TRAFFIC.

Cinco, M. (2020, September 4). Group sets off alarm over forest turtle trade. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.