Karachi’s Olive Ridley turtles disappear from nesting beaches as experts seek snswers

Summary

• The disappearance of Olive Ridley sea turtles from Pakistan’s historically recorded nesting beaches has raised concerns among wildlife experts following the discovery of a dead turtle on Clifton Beach in Karachi.
• Although Olive Ridley turtles continue to inhabit the Arabian Sea it remains unclear whether breeding females have shifted to other coastlines or whether environmental and human-related pressures have disrupted their nesting patterns.
• For now the disappearance of their once-documented nesting grounds remains unresolved making further scientific research essential to understanding the future of Olive Ridley turtles along Pakistan’s coast.

AI Generated Summary

The disappearance of Olive Ridley sea turtles from Pakistan’s historically recorded nesting beaches has raised concerns among wildlife experts following the discovery of a dead turtle on Clifton Beach in Karachi.

Once regularly found along Pakistan’s sandy coastline the turtles were recorded nesting at Sandspit, Hawke’s Bay, Manora, Sonmiani Beach and other coastal locations. However, their breeding activity has declined dramatically leaving researchers searching for answers about where the turtles now reproduce.

According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan a technical adviser to WWF-Pakistan historical research recorded more than 500 Olive Ridley nests along Karachi’s beaches during the 1980s and 1990s. By 1996-97, the number had reportedly fallen to just two.