200 turtle hatchlings released into sea off Rameswaram

Ramanathapuram Forest Range officer S Ganesalingam on Monday released 135 green turtle hatchlings into the sea in Rameswaram on Monday. The eggs were laid 42 days ago on the sands of the Rameswaram coast. 

As the eggs started hatching, the hatchlings were taken to the sea with the help of interested volunteers and released safely without being preyed on by dogs, foxes and humans. This is the second year when green turtle hatchlings were helped to enter the sea. 

Until a few years ago, turtle hatchlings were prey to animals and humans due to lack of awareness and the absence of anybody to get involved in this issue. Unlike Chennai, where Olive Ridley turtles are helped into the sea annually every year by an organised group volunteers, green turtles going into the sea is carried out by a forest department official.