7 dead sea turtles wash ashore in Chattogram’s Parki Beach

Seven dead sea Olive Ridley turtles washed ashore in Chattogram's Parki Beach in Anwara over the past few days.  

Local residents first noticed the turtles along a one-kilometer stretch of beach on Sunday morning, each weighing between 30-40 kg. 

Mohammad Riad Hossain, a local journalist from Anwara, told the Business Standard that the turtles began washing ashore during high tide.

Dipanwita Bhattacharya, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation officer in Chattogram, said, "We were notified about the dead turtles too late, by which time they had already decomposed. Our staff buried the remains at the site. The cause of death remains undetermined," 

Out of the seven species of sea turtles worldwide, five are found in Bangladesh, with three of them coming to the country's coasts to lay eggs. These include the Olive Ridley, Green, and Hawksbill turtles.

The Olive Ridley turtles' breeding season runs from November to March, during which time female turtles come ashore to lay eggs before returning to the sea.

Dr Mohammad Shahnewaz Chowdhury, Associate Professor at Chattogram University's Institute of Marine Sciences, told The Business Standard that it is unprecedented for turtles to be reported at this coast. 

He suggested that further research is needed to understand the cause of death, particularly regarding collisions with ships or trawlers and possible attacks from other marine creatures, such as sharks. 

He also said that winter is the optimal time for turtles to come ashore due to calm seas, higher salinity, low sediment, and clear water.