Between February 16 and 25, nearly 7 lakh Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at the Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam district. This marks a strong comeback after the absence of mass nesting last year. In 2023, around 6.37 lakh turtles nested at the same site.
Olive Ridley Turtles: Key Facts
- Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
- Size: Up to 2 feet in length and 50 kg in weight
- Lifespan: Uncertain, but likely long-lived, reaching maturity at ~14 years
- Habitat: Warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans
- Named After: Their olive-green, heart-shaped shell
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable due to threats like fishing nets, coastal development, and pollution
Unique Nesting Behavior: “Arribada”
- Arribada (Spanish for “arrival”) is a rare synchronized mass nesting event.
- Found only in the genus Lepidochelys (Olive Ridley & Kemp’s Ridley turtles).
- Odisha’s Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches are the world’s largest nesting sites, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica.
Conservation Efforts & Challenges
- Conservation Measures:
- Coastal protection, fishing net regulations, and habitat monitoring.
- Banning mechanized fishing near nesting beaches during nesting season.
- Challenges:
- Climate change, rising sea levels, and human disturbances.
- Accidental deaths due to fishing nets and marine pollution.
(Source: Indian Express)
