Chennai
Besant, an Olive Ridley turtle, was splashing around in the makeshift tank, after a day-long administration of fluids using drips. This sea turtle, which had a chopped front flipper as well as deep cuts in rear flippers and had a cataract, is one of the many patients, recuperating at the centre.
It was found stranded on the beach with injuries sustained after getting entangled in fishing nets. Dr Supraja Dharini, who runs this centre in association with the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department, said the centre receives many calls about injured and stranded turtles, especially during the breeding season starting from December till March.
“In 2010, when we found two injured turtles, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu immediately gave us permission to start this facility. I was constantly in touch with Jean Beasley of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in North Carolina, where I had visited for a twoweek period.
We exchanged emails and the turtles were successfully released. Even now, we constantly keep in touch with Beasley. When we get a call about an injured turtle, our team reaches the scene as soon as possible,” she explained.
“We have successfully nursed and released 15 Olive Ridley sea turtles, two green sea turtles and four hawksbill sea turtles,” she said. For Dr Dharini, Karuna, an Olive Ridley which they found in 2010, is quite special.
“When we first found Karuna, she had three of her flippers cut off. She was our first turtle and helped us understand the recovery time needed as well as the kind of fish these turtles prefer. We also had many fishermen visit the facility, after which there is a remarkable attitudinal change.
This will go a long way in sea turtle conservation,” reminisced Dr. Dharini. The rescue and rehabilitation centre works much like a medical facility.
Harif Parengal, programme coordinator says, “The tanks are cleaned every day and the open wounds are bathed in saline as well as antiseptic medication to ensure there is no infection. The average recovery time is around two to three months, but it depends on the nature of the injury,” he explained.
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