Turtles washed ashore rescued, released back

  • 02/07/2008

  • Indian Express (Mumbai)

Mumbai, July 2 Three turtles which washed ashore were released into the sea off the Juhu beach early on Tuesday morning after they were rescued and treated. Injured in the fishing net, the turtles were unable to swim and were rescued by local life guards. While, two turtles were treated by physicians, the third one swiftly jumped back into the sea when it was removed from the tangles of the net. According to Dr Shivam Kumar of PETA, who treated a 35-year-old female turtle, the turtles were near the shore to lay eggs. "During monsoon, the turtles come to the shore to lay eggs and it is possible that they were caught in fishing nets,' Kumar said. This is the second incident in two days of injured turtles coming to shore. The two turtles which were rescued on Tuesday after the high tide were badly injured on the neck and mouth due to sharp net thread and fishing hook. Lifeguard Laxman Mangela, who saw the turtles, said that he tried pushing them into the sea-water but of the three only one went back in to the sea water. It was because of the injury and weakness that the turtles could not go back in the water. Later, one of the residents took back an injured turtle for treatment with the doctor, while the other was taken by Dr Kumar. "The turtle was hurt on the neck and also its hind and back legs. But after treatment, we have returned her back to Madh island, the local Kolis have promised to take care,' Dr Kumar said.