National University experts to present analysis on turtle deaths

Veterinarians and pathologists from the National University on Thursday will present the results of a study on the death of 280 turtles found in the South Pacific of Costa Rica on Jan. 21.

Experts analyzed 30 tissue samples extracted from some of the bodies found. After sectioning the tissues, pathologists performed a procedure that allows them to examine cells and determine the cause of death.

A preliminary report issued days ago found evidence of drowning, which could indicate illegal fishing was to blame.

Another study performed by Costa Rica’s Fisheries Institute on 16 turtles determined that “there is insufficient evidence to attribute the mass death to fishing activities.”

Most of the animals found were olive ridley sea turtles, but officials also found marlin, sailfish and green turtles.