Panglao’s MENRO Boys save the life of a coral, with Bohol Tribune’s help
Life in all forms is precious. All life comes from the Almighty and this is the belief that we hold dear. In each opportunity we get to save life is an added feather to one’s cap even if saving lives is all in a day’s work.
A group of divers saved the life of a coral with the help of The Bohol Tribune.
How exactly the newspaper helped in saving the life of the coral is something you need to read about.
Our story this week begins with a routine diving expedition conducted by the reef rangers belonging to the local government unit of Panglao’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources office (MENRO). They are also known as the MENRO Boys, which is headed by Catalino Sumaylo.
The reef rangers who engaged in an expedition on Jan. 4, 2021 were Danilo Menorias, Arturo Paredes, and Emer Loretero.
During their routine diving expedition, the MENRO Boys noticed a century-old table coral, which fell to a depth of 25 feet.
The coral‘s habitat is around 3 meters, where life support Is at an optimal level, according to the MENRO of Panglao.
The reason why the coral fell to a depth of 25 meters was anybody’s guess. No one knows how the coral fell to a deeper part of the sea.
The MENRO Boys surmised that it was possible a fishing net caught the coral and cut the poor life form from its nest. The coral then fell where it stayed for a time until the MENRO Boys discovered the fallen coral.
After discovering the fallen coral, the MENRO came up with a rescue plan, so that the life form can return to its proper habitat and become healthier.
According to the MENRO, the fallen coral needs to be returned to its nesting place or habitat, which is three meters from the sea’s surface. This is the area where the oxygen and sunlight are at optimum levels which are able to sustain l the health and wellness of the coral.
The coral was at risk of dying due to less oxygen and sunlight if left at a depth of 25 meters from the surface, according to the MENRO.
Days after, the MENRO Boys successfully rescued the coral and returned it to its rightful nesting place or habitat, according to reports reaching The Bohol Tribune.
After several months, using an edition of The Bohol Tribune as to reference the date of their latest dive, the MENRO Boys checked on the coral and saw it healthier and bigger than before.
Thanks to the heroism of the MENRO Boys who made an effort to save the coral’s life, the youth of tomorrow will still be able to take a look at the magnificent corals, which are life forms that come from God
This is an underwater photo of the place of the natural habitat of the century-old table coral that was rescued and brought back to a healthy state by members of Panglao’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO).
This is area underneath Panglao’s waters where the rescued coral fell from its nesting place or natural habitat.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO) Reef Rangers bring a copy of The Bohol Tribune underwater to indicate the date when they checked the health of the rescued coral. They even measured the size of the coral and compared the latest measurement to the previous one showing that the coral grew, indicating good health.
The photo of the rescued coral now back in its rightful nesting place together with a copy of the Bohol Tribune (encircled). The copy of the newspaper remained intact even underwater, which is a testament on the paper material’s quality. The paper remained sturdy even if its soaking wet.
A different vantage point of the area of the original nesting place of the rescued coral by the reef rangers of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO) of Panglao town.
On July 10, 2021, as evidenced by the date on The Bohol Tribune’s edition covering the dates of July 4 to 10, 2021. The MENRO boys went underwater to find out the health condition of the rescued coral.
All photos courtesy of Danilo Menorias