Hundreds Of Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Released Into Sea In TN, Record Nesting In Goa
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department on Wednesday released several Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea.
The hatchlings were into the sea near Sirkazhi in Mayiladuthurai district.
Olive Ridley turtles nesting?
This was the first release of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea since the nesting season started in January.
The Olive Ridley turtles which are classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red list return to the beach where they hatched every year to lay eggs.
In India, Olive Ridley Turtle nesting happens across the beaches of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Goa.
The mass migration and nesting is a spectacular sight and often beaches can be covered by these turtles.
The female turtles which lay around 100 eggs each in the beach sand then return to the waters.
Nests face several threats?
It takes around 40-45 days for the eggs to hatch, which is also the time when they are the most vulnerable.
Dogs, eagles and even poachers feed on these eggs which in the past resulted in a rapid reduction in the Olive Ridley Turtle population.
However, due to conservation efforts by various state governments and NGOs, in recent years, poaching and destruction of Olive Ridley nests have come down significantly.?
Once hatched the thousands of hatchlings instinctively march to the sea.
Record nesting in Goa
As the nesting season continues, Goa has seen a record number of nests in 2024.
Over 10,000 eggs have been laid on the Agonda and Galjibaga beaches of Goa so far.
Rajesh Naik, in charge of the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in South Goa, said that the nesting season had commenced on November 16 and till now, the turtles are seen laying eggs.
"Every year Olive Ridley turtles come to these beaches to lay eggs. We have dedicated staff to keep vigil and take care of them and the eggs they lay. We see that they don¡¯t face any harm from anyone. As the nesting sites come under CRZ, there are no (commercial) activities here and hence turtles are not disturbed," he said.
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