Olive Ridley carcasses found on Rushikulya Coast

BERHAMPUR: Rushikulya rookery, the most preferred nesting ground of the Olive Ridley sea turtles, was on Friday littered with the carcasses of around 100 turtles. The carcasses were found scattered over an area of around four km from Nolianuagaon to Agastinuagaon.Forest officials, who rushed to the spot, suspect that the turtles may have died after being injured by the propellers of mechanised boats during their journey to the rookery. The carcasses are later washed ashore by the waves, said Berhampur DFO, AK Jena. While in the sea the carcasses are protected by the salt water and once on the shore they start stinking, he added.Usually the turtles arrive for mating from the beginning of December. A few pairs have nested in a seven km stretch in the deep sea. Mating of Olive Ridleys picks up in the last week of December and early January. Measures have been initiated to protect Olive Ridleys in the sea.While fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating,  illegal entry of fishing trawlers to this region is being checked through regular sea patrolling, said Jena.