6.82 lakh Olive Ridley turtles lay eggs in Odisha: A historic mass nesting event

On February 16, the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles began in Odisha. (Image: PTI)

Over 6 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have laid their eggs in the Rushikulya rookery in the Ganjam district of Odisha during the eight days of mass nesting until February 23.

On February 16, the mass nesting (arribada in Spanish) near the river mouth, one of the largest rookeries in the world, began at a modest pace. However, several Olive Ridleys began crawling on the shore to deposit their eggs in the days that followed.

The divisional forest officer (DFO) of Berhampur, Sunny Khokkar, stated that as of February 23, 6,82,000 Olive Ridley turtles had laid eggs on the seashore, breaking the previous record of 6,37,000 set in 2023, Times Of India (TOI) reported.

Also Read: Why over 6.82 lakh olive ridley turtles flock for mass nesting at Odisha’s Rushikulya river mouth

According to the reports, arribada took place in 2023 from February 23 to March 2, while in 2022, from March 27 to April 4, some 550,317 turtles visited the shore.

Named for their olive-green shell, the Olive Ridleys thrive in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Pacific, and Atlantic. They mainly feed on jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, and fish eggs. Conservationists estimate that only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, with the rest falling prey to predators, including jackals, birds, hyenas, fiddler crabs, stray dogs, and some fishing activities like trawling.

What makes Odisha beaches particularly attractive to these turtles for nesting?

Odisha's coastline offers an ideal environment for these turtles to lay their eggs, thanks to its favourable weather, sandy beaches, and a relatively undisturbed coastal ecosystem. The warm sand on these beaches creates the perfect conditions for egg incubation, with hatching usually occurring after 45 to 55 days.

What leads the Ridley turtles in such large numbers?

Several environmental factors, like as temperature, ocean currents, and the availability of appropriate nesting sites, also affect the mass nesting of olive ridley turtles in Odisha. To guarantee that the turtles have a secure location to breed every year, conservation initiatives have also been crucial in preserving and safeguarding these habitats. In addition to aiding in the conservation of these endangered turtles, the state's dedication to their protection has made Odisha a vital travel destination for researchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

According to the experts, better climate has supported more turtles laying eggs this year. They even predict a strong hatchling turnout due to the timely nesting, with eggs expected to hatch after 45 to 50 days, CNBC TV18 reported.