The sudden mass turtle deaths in different parts of the district have sparked fears of disease outbreak as authorities remain clueless about the cause.

Scores of turtle carcasses have been spotted in paddy fields, ponds and canals at Kanjikuzhy, Muhamma, Cherthala, Mannancherry, Thakazhi, Edathua and Mararikulam since the beginning of July.

Sumi Joseph, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Alappuzha, toldThe Hindu that the dead turtles include Softshell turtle and Indian black turtle. “The majority of carcasses are of Softshell Turtles. Death of a few Indian Black Turtles have also been reported from the district. The Animal Husbandry Department sent the carcass of a turtle to a laboratory at Thiruvalla for examination, but they could not…