Record 6.6 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles Arrive for Mass Nesting at Odisha’s Gahirmatha

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable conservation success, 6.6 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have arrived for mass nesting at Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, marking an all-time high, according to PCCF (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha.

The Forest Department compiled the data between March 5 and March 10.

Significantly, after a gap of 40 years, the turtles have also returned to Eakakulanasi Island, a secluded nesting site. To track their migratory patterns, the Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India have initiated satellite tagging, with two turtles tagged so far.

Meanwhile, hatchlings from eggs laid 40 days ago on Gahirmatha beach have successfully emerged and made their way back to the sea, Jha confirmed.