In unique rescue operation, Coast Guard rescues endangered Olive Ridley turtle near Andaman and Nicobar islands

Port Blair: The Indian Coast Guard carried out a unique rescue operation on Sunday, freeing a trapped Olive Ridley turtle near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A patrol ship in the sea off Andaman and Nicobar Islands found an Olive Ridley turtle entangled in a fishing net. [caption id=“attachment_4240375” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] An Olive Ridley turtle. Representational image. AFP[/caption] The coast guard crew on board rescued the turtle and handed it over to the Forest Department in Port Blair. The Olive Ridley sea turtle has been placed under the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as it is considered vulnerable worldwide and endangered in India. These turtles are considered endangered because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world. It has been listed on Schedule - I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, which means hurting or killing any animal in this list would result in the highest prescribed penalties.