AlHijjah 12, 1434, Oct 17, 2013, SPA -- The remains of more than 100 sea turtles were found in the Pacific off El Salvador in a mass death believed to have been caused by algal blooms, the daily La Prensa Grafica reported Thursday. Fishermen reportedly found the dead reptiles about 10 kilometres off El Pimental beach. The turtles are believed to have died in a so-called red tide, the report said, citing Environment Ministry sources. This algae sometimes produces toxins that can be lethal to animals. At least two leatherback turtles were found dead. Leatherbacks can be up to 2.5 metres long and weigh more than half a ton. They are regarded as the largest turtles alive and are an endangered species, dpa reported. Marine biologists at the University of El Salvador have launched an investigation into the precise cause of the deaths.
