Six Olive Ridley Turtles Found Dead on Canacona Beaches
Residents and visitors in Canacona discovered a distressing sight last week. Between January 13 and 16, the carcasses of six olive ridley turtles washed ashore on different beaches in the area. The discovery has raised concerns among local environmental groups and authorities.
A Grim Discovery Across Multiple Locations
The first turtle carcass appeared on Polem beach on January 13. The following day, a second carcass washed up on Talpona shore. This one was already in a highly decomposed state.
On January 15, another dead turtle came ashore at Talpona. A fourth carcass, also badly decomposed, appeared at Patnem beach that same day.
The grim tally continued on Friday, January 16. Two more dead turtles washed ashore. One of them was found on Rajbagh beach.
Local lifeguards received reports about the carcasses from several non-governmental organizations working in the area. The NGOs alerted authorities promptly upon making the discoveries.
Officials Investigate Possible Causes
South marine range forest officer Rajesh Naik provided some insight into the situation. He explained that around the new moon phase, ocean currents become stronger than usual during high tides.
"More things tend to get washed ashore during these periods," Naik stated. He suggested the turtles might have died earlier but only reached the beaches now due to the powerful high tides occurring on consecutive days.
When asked about the cause of death, Naik remained cautious. He said the reasons could be different for each turtle and he would not be able to ascertain them without further investigation.
Response and Disposal of the Carcasses
The Reefwatch veterinary team from Benaulim conducted autopsies on the dead turtles. Following the examinations, forest department staff buried the carcasses.
A forest department official explained the burial process. "We buried them on one side of the beach where they had washed ashore," the official said. This approach minimized disturbance to beachgoers while ensuring proper disposal.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges facing marine wildlife along India's coastline. Olive ridley turtles are a protected species, and their deaths warrant careful attention from conservation authorities.
