Turtles were taken by boat off shore from Periya Neelankarai fishing village and into the sea
Forest minister M.S.M. Anandhan, Hansraj Verma, principal secretary environment and forest department, Supraja Dharini, TREE founder and Sea Turtle Protection Force (STPF) members releasing the turtle into the sea (Photo: DC)
Chennai: Three Olive Ridley turtles in a rehabilitation centre for the last three months were released off the coast of Periaya Neelankarai in the presence of state forest minister M.S.M Anandhan, environmentalist and marine officials on Thursday. The three turtles were rescued in the months of January and February by Tree Foundation, a trust for environment education, conservation and community development, and were taken care at the Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre at Neelankarai.
“I was really sad to see the turtles who had suffered injuries due to human carelessness. It is time we understood our actions impact the oceans and marine life. I assure that the forest department will extend all support to the activities of Tree Foundation,” said M.S.M Anandhan, minister of forests.The turtles were taken by boat three km off shore from Periya Neelankarai fishing village into the sea where they were released close to a rock formation.
A wide variety of prey fish is always found and the sea currents are less so that the turtles can feed and get accustomed with the sea again.“The turtles in a severely injured state were found stranded on the shores in a very bad shape, completely dehydrated with its flippers cut. We gave them the best cure with help of doctors before releasing them to the sea where they belong,” said Supraja Dharini, founder of Tree Foundation.
The turtles namely Oliver, Dhanya and Laghu were stranded at the Injambakkam, Marina and Perundaravu beaches and were rescued by the SSTCN (Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network) and Tree foundation volunteers.Before releasing the turtles to the sea, there was a pre-release trial at Muthukkadu backwaters where turtles were released in the waters for 4-5 hours for 10 days so as to make sure they are fit enough to get used to the sea once they are released.
Over the last six months, 11 turtles have been rescued by the Tree Foundation with the help of other rescue organisation along the coasts of Chennai with the rest eight being still under treatment at the Tree rehabilitation centre.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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