Mexico investigates deaths of over 100 endangered sea turtles

Mexico investigates deaths of over 100 endangered sea turtles

Experts have posited that asphyxiation, fish hooks or harmful algae may have brought about the deaths, but the cause is still being investigated, PROFEPA said.

Free Malaysia Today
File photo of an endangered olive ridley sea turtle in Mexico. (Reuters pic)
MEXICO CITY:
Mexican officials are investigating the recent deaths of more than 100 endangered sea turtles in a sanctuary in the south of the country, the government said on Saturday.

A total of 113 turtles were found dead between July 24 and Aug. 13 in the Puerto Arista sanctuary in the municipality of Tonala in Chiapas state, according to a statement by the office of the federal attorney for environmental protection (PROFEPA).

They comprised 102 olive ridley turtles, six hawksbill, and five belonged to the green turtle species, PROFEPA said. The dead turtles were discovered in different parts of the sanctuary across some 30 kilometres (19 miles) of beaches.

All three turtle types are classified under Mexican guidelines as being at risk of extinction, PROFEPA said. The hawksbill is the most critically endangered of the three, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Experts have posited that asphyxiation, fish hooks or harmful algae may have brought about the deaths, but the cause is still being investigated, PROFEPA said.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.