Cox’s Bazar, July 15 – A number of turtles have been found dead in the Cox’s Bazar sea beach over the last several days.
Many injured turtles have been found lying on the beach, raising concerns over their safety. Environmentalists accused the fishermen of killing them.
According to ‘Ecofish Bangladesh’, at least 100 turtles had washed up in the last week.
Besides, 35 turtles were found at Laboni point to Darianagar, they said.
Some of them died due to lack of preservation and treatment while some became food for dogs.
Joynal Abedin, a lifeguard, said that he had seen 35 turtles on the beach in the last three days. “Most of them were injured while some had no legs,” he said. “They died due to lack of proper treatment.”
If the government does not take any steps, then hundreds of turtles will suffer the same fate, he added.
Mohammad Arifur Rahman, an officer of Ecofish Bangladesh, said: “We have long been involved with the turtles. Those that were found on the beach were wounded and tortured.”
Abdus Salam, an officer of Marinelife Alliance, said, “The turtles which were found on the beach were released due to lack of preservation. Though some were found alive we could not take them as most of the turtles have lost their legs.”
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hossain could not be reached despite repeated attempts.
Cox’s Bazar sea beach has got back its natural environment due to the prolonged lockdown enforced by the government to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
According to the Marinelife Alliance, in Bangladesh, sea turtles have never been prioritised in any agenda for research or conservation. Like other areas in the tropical world, the sea turtle population was far better along the coast of Bangladesh. – News Desk with UNB
