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Three people have died and dozens have become ill after eating sea turtle stew in the Philippines.
Officials say dozens of Teduray indigenous people have been suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains in the coastal town in Maguindanao del Norte province for the past week, the BBC reports.
Despite the ban on hunting and eating sea turtles in the Philippines, some communities still consume the sea creatures as a traditional delicacy.
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But the danger to humans is that sea turtles feed on contaminated algae that can become toxic when cooked and eaten.
In this case, the endangered sea turtle was cooked as adobo, a popular Filipino dish of meat and vegetables stewed in vinegar and soy sauce.
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Authorities say at least 32 people were hospitalized after eating the meal, but most have since been discharged.
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Some dogs, cats and chickens that were fed the same sea turtle also died.
Despite the ban on hunting or harming sea turtles, some indigenous communities hunt them for their eggs and meat, which are considered healthy.
The investigation into the fatal poisoning is ongoing.
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