Experts fear for lives of rescued turtles

Mumbai: Experts fear that 90 per cent of the injured turtles that were recovered from Mumbai beaches in the past two weeks may not survive. This is because 10 out of the total 13 turtles are critically injured with more than two flippers cut and exposed bones. The turtles require urgent surgery. Experts have blamed pollution along the beaches for the sorry state of turtles.

The recent most turtle that was rescued from Narpad in Dahanu needs to be operated but as it cannot be operated due to its weak condition.  Dr. Dinesh Vinherkar, a wildlife veterinarian and turtle expert said, “10 out of 13 turtles in the centre are critical and cannot be operated due to their poor health. Most of them cannot bear scissors hence they are all under observation. They will be operated upon, based on their recovery.” However, Dr. Vinherkar said that even after the operations are done post their improvement, the chances of them being released back into the sea are minimum. The turtles that are admitted and are being treated in the Wildlife Conservation & Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA), a rescue and transit centre in Dahanu, under the Dahanu forest department officials, are being looked after with not only medication but also their food requirements.

In the previous week, Olive Ridley turtles that are protected as schedule I species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 were being rescued almost every alternate day. Thus in 16 days, the 13 turtles were rescued from various parts of Dahanu, Malad and Vasai areas. Severely injured schedule I species sea turtles has worried experts to no end. According to them, the current situation has led to a need to map and study sea turtles in order to understand why and how these injuries are taking place. Pollution of the sea is an important reason for them to be injured. Experts say that turtles get entangled in nets and end up injuring themselves while swimming which gets highlighted more during monsoons.