Mumbai Police and Rescuers Save 100 kg Loggerhead Turtle from Arabian Sea
A patrolling team from the Yellow Gate police station in Mumbai rescued a distressed loggerhead sea turtle weighing over 100 kilograms from the Arabian Sea, coordinating with wildlife responders to secure urgent veterinary care for the rare marine animal.
The rescue occurred while the police team—consisting of Assistant Sub-Inspector Suresh Bhalerao, Assistant Sub-Inspector Prashant Borse, and Police Constable Nilesh Malusare—was carrying out routine patrolling duties in the territorial waters of the Arabian Sea. During the patrol, the officers spotted the large sea turtle struggling to swim and stay afloat on the water surface.
Recognising the danger to the animal, the police personnel intervened and successfully lifted the heavy turtle onto their patrolling boat. After bringing the creature safely to land, the officers immediately alerted the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) to assist with medical intervention and rehabilitation.
RAWW team members Arun Kadam and Mahesh Ithape quickly arrived at the site to take charge of the turtle. In coordination with the Mangrove Cell of the Maharashtra State Forest Department, the rescuers transferred the animal to veterinarian Dr Rina Dev for medical evaluation.
The loggerhead sea turtle was examined, treated, and successfully stabilised. Because Mumbai does not have a dedicated transit facility for marine turtles, the Mangrove Cell instructed that the turtle be shifted to the Sea Turtle Transit Treatment Center located in Dahanu for further care and long-term rehabilitation.
The Dahanu treatment centre is operated and managed by the Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA). A combined team comprising state Forest Department officials and RAWW personnel oversaw the shifting process to ensure the animal's safe transfer.
Pawan Sharma, founder of RAWW and honorary wildlife warden of the state forest department, highlighted the critical role played by the police in the rescue effort, stating that the quick thinking and prompt action of the patrolling officers from the Yellow Gate police station helped save a rare marine life.
