Why dead olive Ridley turtles are washing ashore in Tamil Nadu
The serene beaches of Tamil Nadu have recently become the site of a tragic phenomenon i.e. The Olive Ridley turtle carcasses washed ashore highlighted the problem among the numerous discussions held. These are worrying signs something that has stirred concerns among conservationists, environmentalists and people in the affected areas. As such, in this article, we will look at causes for this massive death and look for ways of solving the problem.
Possible Causes
- By-catch in Fishing Nets: What makes Olive Ridley turtle face such a high number of deaths include effects of by-catch, where the turtles are caught in fishery trawlers nets. The fact is these turtles have to come to the surface to breathe, if trapped in the nets, they suffocate to death.
- Increased Fishing Activity: Another contributing factor is that there are many fish around the turtle aggregation areas which has promote more fishing. Since more fishing trawlers working in these areas have been recorded, more turtles have been caught in these nets.
- Lack of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Regulations have been made to incorporate TEDs as measures to enable turtle escape through trawl nets, however, enforcement of the regulations has been not rigorously conducted. The absence of TEDs has been found to be the main cause of death of the Olive Ridley turtles.
- Environmental Factors: Other causes include rough sea conditions and currents that have also washed dead turtles to the shore. These conditions make it difficult for the turtles to move and free themselves from fishing nets.
Impact on the Ecosystem
The mass mortality of Olive Ridley turtles affect the total functioning of the marine ecosystem. These turtles are helpful in any existing marine ecosystem, helping in both predations of jellyfish and as nutrient cycle maintenance. This competes with the other species and once they are eliminated their loss affects the rest of the balance of species in the marine habitats.
Some of the measures to address the crisis include;
- Strict Enforcement of Fishing Regulations: The Tamil Nadu government must enforce the ban on trawling within five nautical miles of the coastline during the nesting season (December to March). This measure will help minimise on the number of turtles that get trapped in fish nets.
- Mandatory Use of TEDs: It is crucial for all trawl nets to contain TEDs so that turtles are able to let themselves out while the catch remains intact. This regulative mechanism ought to receive support from the government and cooperate with fishing communities to maximize the optimality of the regulative measures.
- Community Engagement and Awareness: Details of the importance of Olive Ridley turtles and the effects of by-catch which need to be conveyed to the fishermen. Continued awareness programs and training sessions are some of the measures that can be taken so that fishermen change their ways of fishing to ways that are less fatal to turtles.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: The presence of drones as well as satellite monitoring of fishing activities can be useful to solve particular tasks related to the identification of cases of poaching. This will ensure conformation to the law to prevent destruction of turtle natural living habitats.
- Collaboration with Conservation Organizations: Other support for the problem can be sought from other local and international conservation oriented organizations. These organisations can play a proactive role in the rescue or rehabilitation of the turtles and also can research on the causes of the death of turtles.
Olive Ridley Turtles
The Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are one of the most interesting and mysterious creatures that can be found in seas of the whole globe. Often referred to green sea turtles, due to their olive-colour carpal shell, such turtles replenish the health of marine environments.
Habitat and Distribution
Olive Ridley sea turtles are mainly located in the Pacific, Indian, as well as Atlantic regions in seas that experience fairly high temperatures. This species is widespread and famous for long-distance movements of thousands of kilometres in search of food and nesting sites. It is nowadays common to identify the most famous nesting beaches in India, Mexico, and especially in Costa Rica.
Unique Reproductive Behaviour
Olive Ridley turtles have one of the ‘fascinating’ traits which are referred to as ‘arribada’, it is Spanish word for ‘arrival’ and it is the olive ridley turtles’ mass nesting behaviour. In arribada, thousands of female turtles emerge on the beach at the same time in order to nest on well, sandy beaches. This phenomenon develops a wonderful scene and guarantees the continuation of the species through massing the potential predators.
Ecological Significance
The Olive Ridley Sea turtles are vital for the health of the sea ecosystems. They eat jellyfish, as well as crustaceans and algae, prey that assists in regulating jellyfish populations and the food chain of the seas. Besides that, through nest making, sea turtles enhance nutrient cycling along the beaches adding to the bounty of the costal environment.
Conservation Status
Nonetheless, this species of turtle is threatened by a number of factors some of which includes; habitat destruction, water pollution, global warming and light pollution and last but not the least, get caught in fishing gears unintentionally. These challenges have caused their numbers to reduced, and they are at the moment categorized as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.
Conservation Efforts
Both national and international conservationists as well as governments have contributed in efforts to protect Olive Ridley turtles. Measures available include the shade of fishing nets with Turtle Excluder Devices, provision of adequate nesting grounds for the turtles, and awareness creation on the same to the general public.
Deadly 'zombie deer' disease could evolve to affect humans
Cronic Wasting Desease (CWD) also known as the “zombie deer” disease has been a worry for wildlife biologists and health officials. This terminal prion disease is found in deer, elk, moose, and reindeer and emerges, neurological symptoms such as disorientation, profuse salivation, and lack of fear of man. What puts CWD on centre stage is the emerging understanding that the disease could spread across the species divide and affect humans as well.
What is it?
This disease is transmitted by prions which are proteins that can make healthy proteins in the brain to fold incorrectly, consequently producing considerable damage to the brain. Can spread through saliva, urine, blood, and feces and are communicable within the affected species. Usually the disease can affect cattle and other livestock, showing signs ranging from severe weight loss, uncoordinated movements to erratic behaviour.
Though there is no proven evidence of transmission of CWD to human beings, continues development of the disease has prompted researchers to worry about this possiblity. The disease has already been identified in at least 33 American states. Environmental samples include soil and water; they are proven to be infectious for several years. This increased chances of transmission to humans particularly through consuming affected meat.
Potential Consequences
If this disease was to spread to man, it would have severe effects. All human prion diseases like the CJD are terminal and present symptoms like dementia, muscle rigidity, changes in gait, and vision, confusion and hallucination. Currently, cooking infected meat eradicates the danger since prions are very hard to kill, and they tend to concentrate during the process. This means that hunters and people who consume venison could be in a big trouble.
Danger it poses to Humans
One of the most urgent threats rendering animal disease specialists worried about the propensity of viruses to jump species is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) also commonly referred to as the zombie deer disease. Although no human cases have not been reported up to date, they remain a possibility and are thus concerning. CWD is a prion disease as it is with the case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans. Prions are diseases causing agents composed of a pathologic isoform that transforms normal proteins into abnormal isoforms with the latter being lethal to brain cells. This makes the disease particularly alarming since prions are again notorious for their extreme heat and standard disinfection procedures.
The main hazard which is derived from exposure to the virus affects human beings through the consumption of affected meat. CWD positive deer, elk, and moose can harbour the prions in the consuming tissues which include the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes. Although cooking meat thoroughly does not remove prions, hunters and consumers can unknowingly be infected with contaminated venison leading to emergence of the disease.
Furthermore, experience indicates that prions may remain in the soil for years and contaminate water and vegetation. This environmental reservoir raises the index of risk regarding transmission to humans especially those involved with handling of wildlife and hunting. Even though direct evidence of CWD infecting humans has not been established, research studies have found that a strain of prions from CWD-afflicted animals may mutate and therefore pose a risk to spreading to humans. This has increased the need for surveillance, research and prevention of the risk that is associated with it.
To protect the population, the activities to increase the surveillance of CWD, the strict control of deer hunt and meat preparation and the public awareness of the risks are necessary. Wildlife agencies, disease control agencies, and academicians should work hand in hand to avoid a possible zoonotic epidemic.
Possible Configuration on the Future Direction of Chronic Wasting Disease
In developing an effective strategy for combating CWD and future effects on the wildlife and human populations, a number of interrelated principles may help guide efforts. Here are some key strategies:
- Enhanced surveillance and research: It is important that we embarked in comprehensive surveillance programs. This also involves conducting surveys of deer populations, tracking the occurrences of CWD and studying its routes of circulation. With the enhanced diagnostic tools and approaches, the diseases can be identified in early stages hence early management. Working with research facilities all over the world, it is also possible to learn more about prion diseases and future dangers they can pose to people.
- Compliance and Implementation: proper enforcement of the laws banning hunting is paramount. Law enforcers must ensure that all hunting activities are done in such a way it does not put the wild animals in jeopardy of getting the CWD disease. This is whereby organisations responsible for wildlife management check frequently on these animals and fine anyone who fails to meet the set standards.
- Public Awareness and Education: Public awareness about CWD and risks associated with it should be created especially to hunters and to the populations living in close proximity to areas affected by the disease. Stakeholder education efforts must address proper hunting techniques; voluntary sample submission for harvested deer; eating venison that may contain infective tissues. To supplement these messages, the input of community leadership and use of social media may also be useful.
- Environmental Management: Prions can exist in the environment, so it is necessary to manage the contaminated territories. Management of CWD infective locations, control of infective traces, and the sustainable utilization of land would help minimize spore transmission. Applying effort to restore these areas can also reduce the long term effect on the ecosystems of the region.
- Collaborative Efforts: Eradication of CWD demands the cooperation of diverse parties, such as government departments, wildlife non-profit organizations, public health departments, and hunters. Developing ant viral response structures lies in having the right communication channels, sharing of resources and quick response in incidence.
It has been established that there is a possibility of the CWD affect humans, but through preventive and elaborate measures, the risk factor can be reduced to the minimum. Through increased surveillance, compliance with regulations, increased awareness, environmental control, and cooperation from stakeholders we can save both the wildlife from the dangerous effects of CWD as well as the human beings. To get there, everyone must step up and actively stay alert and work on suitable strategies to protect our environment and people.