Tue Jan 28 16:15:48 UTC 2025: ## Chennai to Relocate Stray Dogs to Protect Endangered Turtles
**Chennai, Tamil Nadu, January 28, 2025** – The Chennai Corporation is preparing to remove over 200 stray dogs from city beaches to safeguard nesting Olive Ridley turtles during their three-month breeding season (January-March). This action follows warnings from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department that the dogs pose a significant threat to the endangered species.
The intervention comes after a disruption in turtle nesting activities due to the presence of stray dogs. A meeting is scheduled this week to finalize the plan, which involves temporarily relocating the dogs to shelters. The Chennai Corporation has experience managing stray dog populations, having previously removed 130 dogs from Marina Beach for a Republic Day event.
Authorities plan to seek an exemption from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to allow for the temporary relocation. While a previous attempt to build permanent shelters for stray dogs was abandoned in 2013 following objections from animal rights activists, this temporary measure is deemed necessary to protect the turtles. The relocated dogs will be provided with increased space in temporary shelters compared to their current beach habitats, and will be returned to their original locations after the breeding season concludes. The Forest Department, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department, and Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department will jointly request the exemption from AWBI.
First Piper 