50 More Olive Ridleys Die in One Night, Death Toll May Soon Hit 500

The endangered Olive Ridley turtles continue to perish as 40 more carcasses washed ashore between Marina and Neelankarai on Wednesday night, the highest number of deaths recorded on a single night in the stretch.

- S V Krishna Chaitanya @Chennai

The previous highest being 27 in 2017. Another 10 dead turtles were found between Neelankarai and Kovalam on the same night.

Moreover, a resident from Thangal beach in Thiruvottiyur has reported 11 dead turtles sharing pictures and videos.

With this, the total reported turtle death toll is inching towards an alarming 500. The Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN), which operated in the Marina Neelankarai stretch, has recorded over 200 turtle deaths as of January 16. From Neelankarai to Kovalam, Tree Foundation has reported 171 turtle deaths, and from Semmancheri to Alamparai another 123 turtles were found dead.