In a first of its kind pilot project along the shore of Mumbai, a wildlife NGO that runs a turtle rescue centre with Dahanu forest department will begin micro-chipping turtles, that it plans to release in the sea starting this week.
Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA), which had over 55 turtles recuperating at its Dahanu centre in last three months have not only received permissions from the forest department but it has also procured micro-chips that will be injected in their bodies.
Explaining the functionality of microchips, Dr Dinesh Vinherkar, wildlife veterinarian and turtle expert who is associated with WCAWA said, "Microchips are electronic devices smaller than a grain of rice. Each bears a unique code, which can be read using a reader and will help in creating an identity of every turtle that will be released after being rescued."
"We had been rescuing turtles over the years. Once we microchip the rescued turtles, they can be identified in case they are brought back to us after being rescued or if, in worst cases, their carcass is found. We will also inform other organisations working along coastal areas in India about it," said Vinherkar adding that microchipping rescued turtles will help in data gathering.
He was quick to add that this was being done on a trial basis initially and microchipping turtles will be included in the protocol of rescue missions henceforth. "The microchip will be fitted below the carapace, above left hind limb under the skin and can be read by a universal reader," said Vinherkar.
NS Ladkat is Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) said that these projects often help in a lot of new learnings. "We have given necessary permissions to WCAWA and it will be done for every marine turtle to be released," he said.
MICROCHIPPING
- Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA), which had over 55 turtles recuperating at its Dahanu centre in last three months have not only received permissions from the forest department but it has also procured micro-chips that will be injected in their bodies
- WCAWA officials said that microchipping turtles will be included in the protocol of rescue missions henceforth The microchips will be fitted below the carapace, above left hind limb under the skin and can be read by a universal reader. This will help in data gathering in future
