Environmentalists surprised by turtle nesting off Kumari coast

Environmentalists said the nesting period of turtles in India is usually between December and April due to the favourable water current. They said over 20,000 eggs were sighted in beaches off the Rameswaram coast this season. 

However, a turtle was unusually spotted laying eggs in Muhilankudiyiruppu early on Sunday morning by local people, who claimed that they have not seen turtle eggs in the western coast especially during the Southwest monsoon season. 

Apart from the female turtle, around 10 sub-adults were also spotted in the locality.

According to environmental activists, both the sightings are a highly unexpected event during the month of August. Sub-adults are normally spotted when they are caught in the fishing nets or when they were hit by the boats. 

“The turtle which was spotted laying eggs might have been affected by the changing water currents. It may have been lost in the sea and come to the coast inadvertently,” said a activist.