REUTERS 20 November 06 More than 150 dead mud turtles found in Gujarat canal
Ahmedabad, India: More than 150 dead mud turtles have been found floating in an irrigation canal in Gujarat, alarming conservation officials.
The turtles were discovered on Sunday near Gandhinagar, the state capital, in a canal linked to the Narmada river.
"We are stunned to see so many floating dead mud turtles," said P.N. Raichaudhari, forest and wildlife secretary.
Conservationists said they believe the turtles had either eaten contaminated food discarded by local people or that oxygen levels in the canal had fallen dramatically.
Mud turtles usually breed between March and May and can live for 50 years. They dig themselves into the bottom of streams or ponds and can release a foul-smelling fluid to ward off predators.
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