The turtle found dead Sunday morning.
St. Lucian authorities are investigating the death of another Hawksbill Turtle.
St. Lucia News Online (SNO) received reports at about 7:35 this morning of the turtle’s discovery on the Vigie beach and was able to get in touch at around noon Sunday, June 28 with an official, who immediately went to the scene and confirmed the information.
The official said she is preparing to return to take “measurements”, while a biologist was summoned to confirm the cause of the turtle’s death.
“It looks like an attempted slaughter as there are visible markings to indicate such, but the whole turtle was left behind,” the official told SNO.
This is the second Hawksbill found dead in one month.
On Wednesday, June 3, a frequent beach user discovered the remains of an adult Hawksbill Turtle, that appeared to have made it’s way to a remote area on Reduit Beach, Gros-Islet to nest, but was slaughtered.
The remains included a decomposing shell and intestines, along with mature and immature eggs. All the turtle meat was extracted along with the head and flippers, an official told SNO at the time.
The sea turtle hunting season is closed, therefore it is illegal to hunt and/or kill turtles at this time. The harvesting seasoning usually runs annually from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, with conditions.
Anyone caught and found guilty faces a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or one year imprisonment.