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Two-headed sea turtle found in Costa Rica
2005-12-02
The two-headed olive ridley turtle hatchling discovered in Costa Rica
© WWF/ Carlos Drews
A deformed two-headed olive ridley sea turtle hatchling has been found on a beach on Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has said.
Experts at the WWF believe that ocean pollution and climate change could be to blame.
According to the conservation group, the turtle is in good health and has a full range of movement.
"The specific cause of this deformity is not known," said Carlos Drews, WWF's regional coordinator for marine turtles.
"But, increased temperatures as an outcome of climate change can cause drastic modifications to the incubation environment for nesting sea turtles.
"Industrial and agricultural contaminants that have reached the sea and have become incorporated into the food chain can also affect sea turtles."
The WWF's turtle conservation programme is monitoring the situation.
The beaches of Ostional are one of three places in the world where thousands of the oliver ridley nest, the WWF noted.
"Factors that affect sea turtle development must be investigated because the species can serve as indicators for recognizing the impacts of climatic alterations or pesticides and agrochemicals on coastal and marine ecosystems," added Drews.
"The alarming condition of sea turtles today points to an urgent need to improve our relationship with the oceans."
This news is brought
to you by Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society;
Source from original journalist.
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