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Mumbai: Olive Ridley with damaged shell, rotten flipper rescued

Fighting for life: Since Monday, 3 turtles have been rescued; condition of 2 remain critical

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Dr Rina Dev (Left) and Dr Premal Darji (Right) performing endoscopy on the turtle rescued with a fishing hook stuck in its gastrointestinal tract
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Even as the massive 31 kg endangered Olive Ridley turtle, which was found at Versova beach on Monday, with a fishing hook stuck in its gastrointestinal (GI) tract, continues to remain serious, members of NGO RAWW, on Wednesday rescued yet another olive ridley turtle in critical condition, which might end up in permanent captivity.

Pawan Sharma, Wildlife Warden for Thane and President of RAWW who had rescued a turtle on Tuesday, which is recuperating well, stated that he received a call from Mangrove Cell on Wednesday evening regarding another turtle found by fisherman from Cuffe Parade.

Speaking on the health condition of the Turtle brought to her on Wednesday, Dr Dev said that its condition even worse than the previous two. "It's left flipper is completely rotten and gangrene has set in leaving no option but to amputate it. Also, it's front right flipper is missing and its bones are exposed. Its carapace (shell) also has a crack on it," she said stating that if it survives it will have to live in captivity.

Incidentally, since Monday, three Olive ridley turtles have been rescued from Mumbai coast. Given the lack of turtle transit, treatment and rehabilitation centre in Mumbai, all the three are being looked after by members of RAWW and being treated by Wildlife Veterinarian Dr Rina Dev at her clinic in Bandra.

On Tuesday, the turtle with the fishing hook stuck in the GI tract went through a procedure for removal of the hook. However, despite a 2-hour long effort by Dr Dev and Dr Premal Darji, another vet, they met with no success.

Dr Dev informed that an endoscopy was performed to locate the position of the hook in the oesophagus. However, the hook seemed deep-rooted in the distal oesophagus; its removal was not possible by this method. "A second procedure called gastroscopy had been scheduled to remove the hook," she stated.

"It's obvious that once monsoon sets in, more turtles would be found with similar injuries. However, its been almost two years since we are waiting for the promised rescue and medical aid centre for stranded and injured marine animals by Mangrove Cell at Versova," said Sharma adding that they are facing tough time managing the rescue and treatment of these turtles due to lack of such facilities available in the city.

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