Hundreds of rare sea turtles have been found dead off the coast of Mexico after apparently becoming entangled in fishing nets.
About 300 of the endangered creatures were discovered by fishermen in the seaside community of Barra de Colotepec in the southern state of Oaxaca, said Heliodoro Diaz, the coordinator of the state’s civil protection agency.
Images captured by a Reuters videographer showed dozens of dead turtles, many beginning to decompose, caught in what appeared to be a net.
The olive ridley turtles, which Mexican authorities say are at risk of extinction, measure about 75cm in length and weigh about 45kg. From May to September, they descend on various Mexican states along the Pacific Ocean to lay their eggs.
Mexico, which is home to six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, has a permanent program to protect the reptiles, including criminal penalties for those who kill them. The office of the federal attorney for environmental protection (PROFEPA) said it would investigate the case.
Earlier this month, authorities said they were investigating the deaths of 113 sea turtles at risk of extinction – 102 olive ridley turtles, six hawksbill, and five belonging to the green turtle species - in a sanctuary in the southern state of Chiapas.
Experts said asphyxiation, fish hooks or harmful algae could have killed the turtles, but the cause is still being investigated, PROFEPA said.