Olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829) washed ashore at Visakhapatnam

Abstract

A dead Olive ridley turtle was found washed ashore near Bheemunipatnam, about 20- 25 km south of Visakhapatnam city, on 19th November 2012. An injury mark was present on the head of the specimen (Fig.1) and it is suspected that death was caused by incidental capture and drowning. It is a matter of concern since Olive ridley turtle are endangered and are protected as per various international agreements. They are categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2010) and are included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972