An endangered olive ridley turtle washed ashore alive on Kuakata beach, prompting a rescue effort and renewed concerns over fishing nets, plastic pollution and rising threats to marine biodiversity.
A rare olive ridley sea turtle washed ashore alive on the sandy beach of Kuakata in southern Bangladesh on Saturday, attracting crowds of tourists and raising fresh concerns among conservationists over the growing threats faced by marine turtles in the Bay of Bengal.
The female turtle drifted onto the shore with the incoming tide near the DC Point area of Kuakata beach around noon, according to local residents and environmental activists. Rescuers believe the turtle had likely approached the coast to lay eggs but appeared significantly weak when it was discovered.
The turtle was first spotted by local beach photographer Saiful Islam, who immediately informed KM Bacchu, convener of the Kuakata Environmental Protection Movement. Bacchu later arrived at the scene and led the rescue effort.
Bacchu said the turtle weighed an estimated 35 to 40 kilograms and was believed to be an olive ridley mother turtle, a species considered vulnerable due to habitat destruction, fishing activities and marine pollution.
Tourists visiting the beach gathered around the area to catch a glimpse of the rare marine animal after news of its arrival spread quickly across the tourist spot.
Abul Hossain Raju, a member of the environmental organisation, said they contacted a veterinary doctor from Kalapara soon after the rescue. The turtle received primary treatment at the scene before being released back into the sea.
Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Maruf Billah confirmed that authorities immediately sent a veterinarian to the site after being informed of the incident. Necessary measures were taken following the turtle’s initial treatment, he said.
Mohammad Bakhtiar Rahman, research assistant for WorldFish Bangladesh’s “Healthy Seas” project, said many marine turtles become trapped in trawler fishing nets and remain stuck underwater for long periods, causing them to weaken before eventually washing ashore.
He also warned that increasing plastic pollution and environmental changes are severely disrupting the turtles’ natural life cycle and breeding behaviour.
Mahipur Range Officer Abul Kalam said the Forest Department had dispatched Kuakata Beat Officer Rubel Hossain to the location and was providing continuous support throughout the rescue process.
Conservationists have expressed growing concern after several dead marine turtles were found along the Kuakata coast earlier this month. According to local officials, seven dead turtles washed ashore recently, including one green sea turtle and five olive ridley turtles. Various injury marks were found on the bodies of the dead turtles, intensifying fears over the safety of marine wildlife in the region.
