Green turtle entangled in fish net, rescued at Alambarai Kuppam

 

A. Prem Kumar of the Sea Turtle Protection Force in the area immediately brought the boat to shore and hauled up the net when the turtle was seen floating in it. 

 

Since turtles are air breathing reptiles, they come up to the surface every 45 minutes to breathe or they could easily drown. This particular rescued turtle seemed to have also come very close to drowning, but since her fore flipper claw got entangled in the net, she managed to float on the surface. The turtle weighing around 10 kgs and measuring 21 inches was estimated to be anywhere between five and seven years old. 

 

Prem Kumar checked the turtle for any broken bones or injuries to its flippers but, according to him, the turtle appeared completely fine and also active. He was advised by the Tree Foundation, a trust for environment education, conservation and development, to release the turtle beyond the sea breakers and he followed their instructions. 

 

According to a Supraja Dharini, founder of Tree Foundation, this is not an uncommon occurrence as juvenile green turtles and hawksbill turtles are found foraging along the coast from August to March and every year a few unlucky turtles wash ashore dead or injured.