Odisha: Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings begin their seaward journey

Berhampur, April 11:The hatching of Olive Ridley turtle eggs has begun at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district, as thousands of tiny hatchlings emerged from the sandy nests and made their way to the sea. According to a senior forest official, the mass hatching began on Thursday, with the baby turtles instinctively heading seaward, guided by nature, as their mothers had already returned to the ocean after laying the eggs.

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 “The hatching has started right on schedule and is expected to continue for another four to five days,” said Dibya Shankar Behera, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and in-charge of the Khallikote Forest Range. “Given the record number of eggs laid this season, we anticipate a record number of hatchlings as well.”

This year, mass nesting occurred in two phases. From February 16 to 23, around 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs along a five-kilometre stretch of beach from Podampeta to Bateswatra. In the second phase, between March 22 and 27, another 2.05 lakh turtles arrived to nest along the same coastal stretch.

To protect the hatchlings from natural predators such as wild dogs, jackals, and hyenas, the Forest Department has fenced off the nesting area. Local volunteers are also playing a crucial role in assisting forest personnel during this critical period.

In addition, authorities have requested nearby industrial units, Gopalpur Port, and civic bodies in Ganjam to dim street lights during the night. This measure aims to prevent the hatchlings from getting disoriented by artificial lights and ensure they safely reach the sea.