<p>Akash Hegde, Kenneth Harsha and Anil purchased the turtle which was caught by a fisherman in the backwater of Tunga reservoir near Gajanur. The animal was weighing 13.5 kg. They purchased the animal by offering Rs 2,000 to the fisherman.<br /><br />They handed over the animal to the Forest Department and it was later released to a tank near Agumbe. Forest Department officials told Deccan Herald that the turtle is rarely sighted as its population has dwindled owing to poaching and loss of habitation<br /><br /> Fishermen said they happen to net the turtle once in three-four years. Kenneth Harsha and his friends visited the fishermen hamlet near Gajanur and urged them not to poach the turtle.<br /></p>
<p>Akash Hegde, Kenneth Harsha and Anil purchased the turtle which was caught by a fisherman in the backwater of Tunga reservoir near Gajanur. The animal was weighing 13.5 kg. They purchased the animal by offering Rs 2,000 to the fisherman.<br /><br />They handed over the animal to the Forest Department and it was later released to a tank near Agumbe. Forest Department officials told Deccan Herald that the turtle is rarely sighted as its population has dwindled owing to poaching and loss of habitation<br /><br /> Fishermen said they happen to net the turtle once in three-four years. Kenneth Harsha and his friends visited the fishermen hamlet near Gajanur and urged them not to poach the turtle.<br /></p>
