The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed on Tuesday that it was a group of people from Baa atoll, Kendhoo, who were involved in consuming six turtles on the uninhabited island of Keyodhoo in the same atoll.
The EPA said in a tweet that five men from Kendhoo had slaughtered and cooked six turtles for consumption. The police had taken their statements and later released them, EPA said.
"We will take all necessary legal action," the agency affirmed.
The police were tipped off about turtles being slaughtered in Baa atoll Keyodhoo, last Friday evening. The police then went to the island to investigate and reported back to the EPA.
The EPA, Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and the police collaborated on the investigation to find evidence from the island. They also took the remains of the turtles under the custody of the EPA.
All turtles are recognised as protected species under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of 2016. Despite the fact that it is illegal to kill or capture turtles, disturbing reports of these occurrences continue to emerge.
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