The staff of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park have rescued a sea turtle weighing 40 kg when it reached Therkk u va d i s e a s h o re, n e a r Mandapam, for laying eggs on Wednesday. This was the first time that a sea turtle had waded ashore to lay eggs in a dense area after 1977 and the turtle laid 107 healthy eggs. A large number of people and fishermen watched the phenomenon. The eggs would hatch in 45 to 55 days and the GOMMNP officials rushed to the spot to protect all the eggs. The turtle was released into the sea later. The GOMMNP is building a shed to preserve the eggs for hatching in its Mandapam range office. Sundara Kumar, wildlife warden, told The New Indian Express that the eggs would hatch in 45 days. The sea turtle comes under schedule-1 category. Therefore, the people and fishermen should not disturb the amphibian and other marine spices. Stern action would be taken against those flouting the rule, he added.