Three people have died and scores were left sick from eating sea turtle stew in the Philippines.
Officials say dozens of indigenous Teduray people were stricken with vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains last week at a seaside town in Maguindanao del Norte province, the BBC reports.
Despite a ban on hunting and eating sea turtles in the Philippines, some communities continue to consume the marine creatures as a traditional delicacy.
But the danger for humans is that sea turtles feed on contaminated algae that can turn toxic when cooked and eaten.
In this case, the endangered sea turtle was cooked as adobo, a popular Filipino dish made of meat and vegetables stewed in vinegar and soy sauce.
Authorities say at least 32 people were hospitalised after consuming the meal, but most have since been discharged.
Some dogs, cats and chickens that were fed the same sea turtle also died.
Despite a ban on hunting or harming sea turtles, some indigenous communities fish them for their eggs and flesh, which are thought to be health giving.
An investigation into the deadly poisoning is underway.
