Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Head For Sea At Gahirmatha In Odisha

Kendrapara: Thousands of Olive Ridley turtle hatclings have started emerging from the pits at Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha, back to the sea.

Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha is the world’s largest breeding grounds of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

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 to protect the endangered turtles.