Mass Death of Olive Ridley Turtles Raises Alarm Along Southern India’s Coastline

INIndia|

In January 2025, over 1,100 olive ridley sea turtles were reported dead along the beaches of Tamil Nadu, India, alarming ecologists and local residents alike. Kuppusamy Sivakumar, an ecology professor at Pondicherry University, noted that this number is unprecedented in the past three decades, with only 100 to 150 turtles typically nesting annually along Chennai's coastline.

The carcasses, many found near Chennai, exhibited concerning signs of suffocation, including lung lesions and bulging eyes, according to environmental activist Yuvan Aves. The cause of death remains unclear, but Sivakumar suggests entanglement in fishing nets could be a factor, particularly as illegal fishing practices persist in the area.

In response to this crisis, the Tamil Nadu government has increased wildlife patrols and apprehended 24 trawler boats operating unlawfully. Authorities are monitoring coastal waters more closely, while efforts to protect nesting sites are also being intensified. Aves emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The scale of death... exceeds one’s capacity of feeling."

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