Over 7 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Arrive at Odisha’s Rushikulya Beach for Mass Nesting
Odisha, February 25: In a spectacular natural phenomenon, more than 7 lakh Olive Ridley turtles have arrived at Rushikulya beach in Odisha for their annual mass nesting. This incredible event, known as arribada (a Spanish term meaning ‘arrival by sea’), sees thousands of these endangered turtles gather on the shore to lay eggs before returning to the ocean.
A 7,000 KM Journey for Survival
The Olive Ridley turtles, among the world’s vulnerable species, undertake a 7,000 km migration to reach the Indian coastline. The Rushikulya rookery, along with Gahirmatha and Devi River mouth, is one of the most significant nesting sites for these turtles.
Mass Nesting and Egg-Laying Process
Once ashore, each female turtle digs a nest in the sand using her flippers and lays around 100 to 150 eggs. This entire process takes only a few hours, after which the turtles return to the sea, leaving their eggs buried in the sand.
Hatchlings Expected in 50 Days
The eggs will remain buried for nearly 50 days, relying on the sand’s warmth for incubation. After this period, thousands of baby turtles will emerge and instinctively crawl towards the ocean, beginning their own long journey of survival.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
The arrival of such a massive number of turtles is a positive sign for conservation efforts. However, Olive Ridley turtles face multiple threats, including:
- Habitat destruction due to coastal development
- Fishing nets, which pose a danger to adult turtles
- Climate change, which affects nesting conditions
The Odisha Forest Department and wildlife conservation groups have intensified their protection efforts, deploying volunteers and patrol teams to safeguard the nesting sites from predators and human disturbances.
A Global Wildlife Spectacle
The mass nesting at Rushikulya is considered one of the greatest wildlife events in the world, drawing researchers, nature enthusiasts, and conservationists. Wildlife experts are closely monitoring the nesting process, ensuring the safe hatching of the baby turtles.
This extraordinary event reaffirms the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and highlights Odisha’s critical role in the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles.
