Three dolphins and two sea turtles, both listed as endangered species under Wildlife Protection Act, were killed when a contractor allegedly used dynamite to extract the wreckage of a sunken ship in Marine National Park near Jamnagar, an official said on Thursday.
Forest authorities yesterday filed a case against the contractor, Devji, under the Wildlife Protection Act.
"We have filed a case and our officials are investigating the matter further," said Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest, SK Nanda.
The contractor had not obtained permission from the park authorities to use dynamite in this eco-sensitive area, he said.
A ship had sunk near Jamnagar coast three decades back, but its wreckage is still under the sea. Some time back, the contractor was given the task of taking out the wreckage from the sea.
Meanwhile, officials from the Forest, Port and State Pollution Control Board have reached the spot to take stock of the situation and investigate further.