Kollam: The remains of a sea turtle, believed to be the protected Olive Ridley species, were found on Kongal beach at Thekkumbhagom in Kollam district on Tuesday.

The remains appear to be several months old and were discovered in a relatively isolated stretch of the beach that is seldom frequented by local residents or tourists. Most of the soft tissue of the turtle's body has decomposed, leaving behind the shell and skeletal remains. A portion of the shell was also found to be missing, raising suspicion that the turtle may have died after being struck by a boat propeller.

Local residents said this was the second instance of a dead sea turtle washing ashore at Kongal beach since the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank off the Kochi coast in May last year.

Sea turtles arrive on the Kerala coast to lay eggs during full moon nights between December and March. Turtles prefer areas with minimum human presence for this purpose, and Kongal Beach has been witnessing the phenomenon for years. However, over the last few years, the number of turtles reaching Kongal beach has declined. Experts said that extreme heat experienced in the sea and the presence of plastic and nets have led to a fall in the turtle population.

The Olive Ridley sea turtle, which travels thousands of km in the sea to lay eggs on the Kerala coast, is a vulnerable species. Each turtle lays up to 150 eggs and the incubation period is 45 days. Olive Ridleys have a lifespan of 100 years. According to scientists, upon attaining maturity, the turtles return to the same coast where they had hatched to breed.

The Indian Coast Guard launched ‘Operation Olivia’ in 1980 to protect sea turtles. In India, Olive Ridely Sea Turtles are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and capturing or killing them leads to a punishment. The Kerala Forest Department is entrusted with the task of protecting sea turtles along the state’s coastline.