Carcass of Olive Ridley turtle washes ashore at Talpona

CANACONA: A decomposed carcass of an Olive Ridley turtle was found washed ashore at Talpona in Canacona on Friday morning.

A wildlife official informed that since the remains were in a highly-decomposed state, it was not possible to conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, and added that the sea turtle was just one of the different marine wildlife that either falls prey to humans  or die possibly due to exertion as they cover long distances while migrating or succumb to some sickness.

Olive Ridley turtles are comparatively defenseless marine organisms as they are unable to put their heads into their shells. Major threats to these chelonians include fishery related practices like boat collisions, ghost nets and trawling as well as ingestion of marine debris and plastic which they presume to be jelly fish. The official also confirmed a three nesting sites in Canacona this season with two nestings in Agonda and one in Galgibaga.

The official informed that a total of 388 eggs have been retrieved by the forest department and kept at safe zones for hatching.