Conservation activists along with forest department and police officials have released 680 rescued Olive Ridley turtles into the Bay of Bengal today.

Olive Ridley is an endangered species and it faces serious threat from undue fishing activities and disruption at nesting beaches. Several of these turtles are stuck in trawlers' nets and gill nets from June to December during their mating season. Local NGO's had preserved a total of 680 sea turtles, which were released into the sea today.

The event to release the turtles was attended by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests A. V. Joseph and Additional Director General of Police, CID Wing, T. Krishna Prasad and coast guard officials. Mr. Joseph said that he will discuss the issue of endangered turtles from pollution with the AP Pollution Control Board authorities.

Additional D. G. Krishna Prasad donated one month's salary in conservation efforts and Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals participated in the conservation efforts. Dr. Pat Burchfield, who is a leading export on the species, suggested ways to save the turtles from fishing. He recommended making nets that allow the turtles to escape.

Activists say that more than 350 nestings were found on the beach where more than 40,000 eggs are ready to hatch into turtles.