300 Olive Ridley Turtles Found Dead off Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

Close to 300 Olive Ridley turtles were found floating dead off Mexico's southern Pacific coast after they were trapped in an abandoned and illegal fishing net.

The turtles were trapped in a 393-foot long net that is not approved for fishing.

The Coordinator for Civil Protection in San Pedro Mixtepec, Jose Antonio Ramirez Garcia told the Associated Press that the net could have been cast by a tuna fishing ship.

Today, this trammel net was found. As you can see, the fishermen tell us that it is not from around here. It could have been abandoned by a tuna fishing ship without reporting it lost, causing the death of these animals which are in danger of extinction.

Jose Antonio Ramirez Garcia, Coordinator, Civil Protection of San Pedro Mixtepec

Experts suspect asphyxiation, toxic algae or hooks attached to the net could have been what killed the turtles. The exact cause of the death of the turtles and who set the illegal net are still being investigated.

The turtles were later buried on the beach.

Mexico has imposed criminal penalties for anyone found guilty of killing sea turtles, and the government's special prosecutorial office for crimes against the environment was leading the probe.

(With inputs from AP)