Daijiworld Media Network - Canacona

Canacona, Jan 18: Carcasses of six olive ridley turtles were found washed ashore on various beaches in Canacona between January 13 and 16, authorities said. Some of the turtles appeared to have died recently, while others were in an advanced state of decomposition.

The first carcass was discovered on Polem beach on January 13, followed by a highly decomposed turtle at Talpona on January 14. On January 15, another dead turtle was found at Talpona, along with a decomposed one at Patnem. On Friday, two more carcasses were discovered, including one at Rajbagh beach.

South Marine Range Forest Officer Rajesh Naik explained that strong currents during high tides around the new moon phase can wash items—and in this case, turtle carcasses—ashore. “The turtles may have died earlier, but were brought to the shore consecutively due to strong tides,” he said. Naik added that the exact cause of death for the turtles could vary and would be difficult to determine immediately.

The Reefwatch veterinary team from Benaulim conducted autopsies on the dead turtles, after which the forest department buried the carcasses on the beaches where they were found, a forest department official said.