A sick Olive Ridley turtle which was rescued from Murthikuppam beach was on Thursday released back into the sea after it regained health following a day’s treatment at the Government Veterinary Hospital here. Personnel from the Forest Department rescued the turtle on Wednesday after fishermen spotted a sick turtle on the beach.
In distress
Deputy Director of Forest Department S. Kumaravelu said the turtle was unable to walk back to the sea due to some ill-health. The turtle, weighing around 30 kg, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital and released back into the sea. The turtle had come to lay eggs as the nesting season had started, he said.
In the last two years, the number of turtles coming to Narambai and Murthikuppam to lay eggs had increased after the department started a conservation project.
The department had initiated a project involving fishermen in the two coastal hamlets to make the place safe for hatchlings. Last year, 11,500 hatchlings were released into the sea. Olive Ridley lay eggs at places they feel safe, he said.
