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Phuket lifeguards save Olive Ridley from fishing net

Phuket lifeguards save Olive Ridley from fishing net

Phuket lifeguards saved an Olive Ridley sea turtle which they found trapped in a fishing net at Mai Khao Beach yesterday afternoon (June 7). Luckily, the turtle had only suffered a slight cut to one of its flippers.

animalsenvironment
By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 8 June 2015 12:17 PM


Rescue workers carry the turtle after safely removing it from the net.

Rescue workers carry the turtle after safely removing it from the net.

The lifeguards spotted the turtle close to the Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas and soon discovered that it had a fishing net wrapped around its right flipper.

After safely removing the turtle from the net it was taken to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Development Institute where an official stated that it is possible the turtle had been trapped in the net for three days. The turtle is still being cared for at the institute.

In previous years Olive Ridleys were often found along the Andaman coast where they settled to lay their eggs. However, the sight is not so common nowadays and it is estimated that more than 30 injured turtles are washed up along the coast each year.