Rare turtle saved from slaughter

By Ifham Nizam 

The Department of Wildlife Conservation yesterday said Police in the Jaffna Peninsula had arrested a man in the Navanthurai area in Jaffna for carrying a rare, critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle weighing more than 300 kilos. The suspect is a 39-year-old resident of Navanthurai area and was travelling in a mini truck.A naturalist from Jaffna told The Island that acting on a tip-off, Police Sleuths of the Divisional Crime Branch, had made the arrest.

The Jaffna Police informed the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court yesterday that the turtle was in good health and released it into the sea with the assistance of officials of the Department Wildlife and Conservation. The turtle in question is a very rare species and is reported to be very large. The officers of the District Crime Investigation Division further stated that the turtle was taken into custody while being taken away for sale at a high price.