Dead Olive Ridley turtles
© The Hindu/ Lingaraj PandaDead Olive Ridley turtles
Thousands of carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles washed ashore from Ranasthalam to Ichapuram in Srikakulam district.Fishermen said they have seen innumerable carcasses in seashore villages of Gunupalli, Akkupalli, Dokulapadu, Manchineellapeta and Devunaltada in Vajrapu Kothuru mandal in the district in the last two days.

Srikakulam district fisheries joint director MA Yukub Basha said the turtles had died after they were accidentally trapped by trawlers. "This is the breeding season and the turtles come to the shore to lay eggs. Many of them get trapped in the nets of mechanised boats," he said.

Fishermen said that the dead turtles weighed up to 50 kg each. The length of the carapace is between 60 cm and 70 cm. Palasa, Baruva and Vajrapu Kotturu in Srikakulam district and RK Beach, Bheemili and Sagarnagar in Visakhapatnam district are the nesting spots of the turtles in north coastal Andhra. One can find about 1,000 nesting spots between January and March in the region.

Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA) founder secretary Pradeep Nath said the animals died due to mechanised boats used by fishermen.

"We will set up an artificial hatchery with the help of AP forest department at RK Beach, and Jodugullapalem beach in Visakhapatnam. We hope to facilitate nearly 35,000 hatchlings," Pradeep Nath said.