A mass poisoning occurred at the end of November in the Philippines. An entire community fell ill after consuming a stew made from sea turtles, a species that is nevertheless protected in the country, reports the BBC.
Shortly after the famous meal, many people began experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Three people died as a result of this poisoning and 32 others had to be urgently hospitalized. Animals that had consumed the stew also died.
A festive dish
The sea turtle can theoretically be eaten but if it itself has eaten contaminated algae, its meat then becomes indigestible – even when cooked. An investigation was opened by local authorities to determine the precise causes of this collective poisoning.
Many indigenous communities in the Philippines continue to hunt and eat sea turtles, considered a festive and ceremonial dish. “It’s really unfortunate because there are so many other marine animals to eat in their village, lobsters, fish,” lamented a local official.
Most sea turtle species are considered endangered. Environmental protection laws in the Philippines prohibit capturing, harming or killing them, but the purported medicinal properties of their meat and eggs continue to drive some people to consume them.
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