Kendrapara: Millions of baby turtles have started emerging from the pits at Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, the world’s largest rookery of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Forest Range Officer of Gahirmath marine sanctuary Arabinda Mishra said after emerging from the nests, turtle hatchlings have started their journey towards the sea. Around 4.6 lakh Olive Ridley female sea turtles had laid eggs from February 27 to March 8 at Nasi-1 and Nasi-2 islands under Gahirmatha sanctuary.
A female turtle lays around 80 to 100 eggs.
Every year, the female Olive Ridley turtles come ashore, dig a nest with their flippers before laying about 100 eggs. After this, they conceal the nests before returning to the sea.
The eggs incubate in the warm sand and after 40 to 45 days, two-inch baby turtles hatch and they emerge in a group from their nests in the night and scurry down the beach to sea water.
In order to protect the endangered turtles, the Odisha Forest Department has deployed guards to prevent vultures, dogs, and other animals from preying on the baby turtles.
Furthermore, a fishing ban was imposed near the Gahirmatha Sanctuary from November 1 to May 31 to protect the endangered turtles.
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Ms Kalinga