More than 100 endangered sea turtles were rescued from poachers off the coast of the Philippines after sailors intercepted the illegal operation, the Filipino navy confirmed.
The turtles had been illegally captured in Philippine waters and were set to be sold to Chinese nationals, who managed to escape during the intervention.
Navy personnel collected the sea creatures, measured them, and placed them in makeshift cages near Balabac on Palawan island. They will be released back into the wild.
The incident highlights the growing illegal trade of exotic animals to China, driven by the nation's economic expansion. Sea turtles are among many species affected, with rhino poaching in South Africa and ivory trade across Africa also linked to Chinese demand.
