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More than 300 sea turtles found dead on Oaxaca beach

Tehuantepec, Oaxaca — More than 300 dead sea turtles have been found near Morro Ayuta beach in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, Oaxaca. According to Ernesto Albavera Padilla, biologist and researcher of the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp), a multidisciplinary group of the Mexican Turtle Center is investigating the possible cause of their deaths.

He said that the 300 olive ridley sea turtles were all found within 72 hours. There is a theory that the turtles died due to being trapped in ghosts nets, which are intentionally left by some fishermen to catch other species.

So far, there is no indication that the massive death of sea turtles was caused by any toxic or harmful pathogens.

The bodies of the turtles were buried in a sealed grave as per the protocol on environmental matters.