Summary
Three people died and 32 were hospitalized in the Philippines after eating a stew made from an endangered sea turtle in Maguindanao del Norte.
Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal spasms, likely caused by toxins from contaminated algae consumed by the turtle.
The stew was a traditional dish, but hunting or consuming sea turtles is illegal under Philippine law.
Similar poisoning cases have occurred, with sea turtles traditionally hunted for their flesh and eggs in some communities.
I think it’s still a sought-for delicacy, and they would have probably sold its meat if it weren’t for the environmental regulations making such a trade difficult.
Also, something is gnawing me about how the article said lots of other seafood are available in the area. So I am thinking the sea turtle crawled its way to where the victims are, and the victims thinking “it’s a waste if we let this delicacy go to waste, let’s cook it!” I don’t know.
Definitely not a bunch of rich dudes gorging themselves on a rare delicacy and getting their comeuppance tho.