Rare sea turtles die in mass in Mexico

The cause of the mass deaths of marine turtles is still unclear as they are found in decomposition status.

More than 100 marine turtles, mostly of a rare and endangered species of turtle, are found on the beach in Puerto Arista, a small Pacific town in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. August 17 said.

Most turtles are found in the sea.(Photo: AFP).

According to AFP, out of 122 turtles found, there are 111 greenish (Lepidochelys olivacea) , a small sea turtle that mainly lives in warm waters in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. They are listed as vulnerable groups according to the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The cause of the mass death of sea turtles in Puerto Arista is still unclear. The Mexican Ministry of the Environment said it could not perform an autopsy due to the corpse being discovered in a state of decomposition. However, about 10% of them show signs of injury in the head and apricot due to hook fishing and fishing nets.

Mexico is a country especially interested in marine turtle conservation. The ban on hunting, trade in sea turtles and their eggs has been issued since 1990. Violators may be fined $ 12,000 and receive up to 9 years in prison. Despite this, hunting of sea turtles and eggs still continues despite the government's protection.