protection or amusement?

If sea turtles could speak, they would surely choose to be left alone in the sea where everything is uncertain than be kept in an enclosure and used as a source of amusement for people who thinks poking the head of a turtle is the height of fun.

Today, I went to the Oceanarium with my friends. By Oceanarium, I did not mean a building with huge high-tech aquarium with uniformed guides, pricey souvinier items and million-dollar maintenance cost. The oceanarium I went to early this afternoon is far from being high-tech, much more well-maintained.

The Mina Oceanarium at the municipality of Zamboanguita (Philippines)has an Entrance fee that only costs Php10.00; no uniformed, overly-excited guide and certainly lacks maintenance. It’s located at Barangay Mina, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental---45minutes to an hour’s ride from Dumaguete City.

Located along the south national road, the place contains concrete enclosures that serves as a home to various fishes and five sea turtles (a.k.a Pawikan).

Among the sea creatures taking residence there, I pity the sea-turtles the most. They are housed in an enclosure about two yards in width and about 6-8 yards in length (more or less). Too small for five sea turtles whose size is the biggest I’ve seen so far. Size aside, what makes the turtles pitiful is the fact that they lack the freedom that they should be enjoying and they are constantly being poked by people who come by to see them.

Seeing the turtles in that under-budgetted oceanarium, I pondered on the point of keeping these creatures in zoos instead of letting them in the ocean. Are we keeping them there for knowledge and preservation? Or are we keeping them for entertainment? Wouldn’t they be better off at sea?

I understand that we keep these creatures for preservation and protection but keeping them in an under-maintained facility is tantamount to abuse.

I pity looking at the turtles and the fishes. It is a good idea to keep them for protection but the pools that serve as their aquarium are too old and too dirty. The turtles are bumping on each other swimming round and round the small pool.Children where poking at them, adults trying to lift them up for fun.

Of course, the place has a small budget---I get that. But shouldn’t the government do something about it? Afterall, this can also be a good tourist spot if they develop it. Couldn’t they create a much better facility for these poor creatures? Couldn’t they shell a small amount just to improve that place?

If we can’t improve the place, then it would be better and more humane to send these creatures back into the ocean. They too deserve to live a free life.