Even as the rains have been eluding Mumbai this year, the sea certainly seems to be in the mood to throw up surprises. July has been an interesting month for marine scientists, with the rescue of three Olive Ridley turtles as well as the visit of the jelly-like invertebrates Portuguese Man O’ War (also called Blue Bottle), all in quick succession.

While the unusual visits are exciting, scientists say it is too early to speculate whether they indicate a change in the marine ecosystem. “In the past, too, there have been records of Portuguese Man O’ War visiting Mumbai,” pointed out National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Mumbai, scientist-in-charge R V Sarma. “The creatures are immobile invertebrates, almost like planktons. They are blown in the direction of the wind. During the Monsoon months, strong sea winds blow landwards. So it is habitual that the creatures are washed to the shores,” he explained, adding that these are not jellyfish but a close cousin.

City scientists said that jellyfish or the Portuguese Man O’ War are most likely to visit Mumbai and the western shores between May and July. “I have always warned people to refrain from swimming in the beaches during these months,” said former Taraporewala Aquarium curator and author of the book Marine life of India B V Chappgar. “The Portuguese Man O’ War is venomous and its stinging cells remains alive in its tentacles for several hours after the creatures dies. So the only way to avoid a nasty sting is to stay away from them.”

Chappgar added that the Portuguese Man O’ War is actually a colony of three creatures, the other two being ‘The Blue Dollar’ and the ‘By The Wind Sailor’.

As for the for the Olive Ridely turtles, zoologists pointed out that while the amphibians are known to nest in the eastern coasts, there has been record of the animals visiting the west too. Independent marine zoologist Amit Chauhan said, “In fact, there are a few cases of Olive Ridley visiting — and even nesting — in Mumbai. On the western coast a small nesting site has been recorded in Ratnagiri.”

He pointed out that a one-off visit should not be considered an alarm bell. “A stray visit is normal. If ever there is a mass congregation of the animal in any part of Maharashtra, that would indicate a change in the weather or the marine ecology.”

On June 29, the Bombay Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals’ (BSPCA) animal hospital rescued the first Olive Ridley turtle — a 10 kg giant — from the highly polluted Juhu beach. The animal had a limb severed but was healthy nonetheless. Another 12.5 kg turtle was brought from the Colaba waters on July 1. This animal had choked on a fishing hook and was swept to the shore. Then on July 10, another Olive Ridley was rescued — a colossal creature with a fractured left limb.