Turtle rescued from Dahanu

Mumbai: An Olive Ridley turtle, a schedule 1 species, was rescued from Dahanu on Sunday morning, taking the total tally of rescues up to 12 in the last 16 days. While the transit centre where the turtle is currently housed, has basic facilities to treat wildlife, it does not have operation theatres or x-ray machines and is urgently in need of expansion.

The turtle was discovered in a serious condition in Narpad at 6.45 am and was rushed to the Wildlife Conservation & Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA), a rescue and transit centre in Dahanu, under the Dahanu forest department officials. It will be operated upon soon.

As per sources, unlike other standard rescue centres, the centre at Dahanu does not have sufficient water tanks to ensure that each turtle has a separate tank. The existing five tanks have been donated by an organisation. Due to this shortage, turtles are not given individual care by providing separate medication and food.

Sources also said that the centre must have complete roofing so that the leaves falling off trees do not disturb wildlife, especially turtles. A volunteer associated with the centre said, “The centre has no X ray machine. Currently, we have to rush to a nearby human hospital. However, we are not permitted to get the test done every time as they see a good amount of human patients.”

He further added, “We also need anaesthesia and a deep freeze at the centre. Monsoons are the breeding season for turtles and a maximum number of them are rescued during rains. There is always shortage of food during this season and they often end up with plastic in their stomach. With a deep freeze in place, we will be able to store food for them.”

The deputy Conservator of Forest (Dahanu division), Nanasaheb Ladkat, said, “An expansion plan for the centre and additional facilities in it is under process, and will be there soon.”