Pananos Beach faces environmental crisis following sea turtle death

An adult female Caretta caretta sea turtle was found dead near Pananos Beach in the Selçuk district of İzmir, Turkey. The turtle was located near the mouth of the Küçük Menderes River as it had arrived in the area to lay its final eggs.

Initial investigations by the Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD) found no signs of external trauma, wounds, or impact on the turtle's body. Consequently, experts suggest environmental factors, such as the ingestion of plastic waste and bags mistaken for jellyfish, may have caused death by obstructing the digestive system. Tissue and shell samples have been sent to Adnan Menderes University for further analysis.

EKODOSD reports that the protected area is facing significant degradation due to uncontrolled human activity. Hundreds of vehicles have been observed driving onto the three-kilometer sand dune strip, damaging sensitive vegetation and the natural landscape. The area has reportedly become heavily polluted with litter and plastic waste carried by the wind into the sea.