Record-Breaking Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting at Rushikulya
Record-Breaking Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting at Rushikulya
Bhubaneswar: A historic event is taking place at Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam district, where 6.41 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have laid eggs until Friday night. This is the highest-ever mass nesting recorded at the site, breaking the previous record of 6.37 lakh turtles in 2022-23. The nesting season started this week and will continue until early March, with experts predicting the number may reach 7 lakh by the end of the season.
The Nesting Process & Conservation Efforts
Each Olive Ridley turtle lays 50-100 eggs in nests about 1.5 feet deep. The eggs stay buried under the sand for 45-55 days, after which the baby turtles (hatchlings) emerge and instinctively crawl toward the ocean. After laying eggs, the mother turtles return to the sea.
However, mass nesting has not happened in Rushikulya in 2015-16, 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2023-24. Scientists believe this could be due to unseasonal rains, shifting winds, and El Niño effects, though the exact reasons are still unknown.
Few photos from Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles at Rushikulya River Rookery @ForestDeptt @PCCFWL_Odisha @pccfodisha @Ganjam_Admin pic.twitter.com/X4x4XZk5FN
— Divisional Forest Officer Berhampur (@dfobhmpr) February 19, 2025
To protect the turtles, the Odisha Forest Department has taken several steps:
- Fencing a 5-km stretch along the coast to prevent disturbances.
- Patrolling the sea with the Coast Guard, marine police, and forest officials to stop fishing within 20 km of nesting sites from November 1 to May 31.
- Reducing artificial lights near the beach to prevent baby turtles from getting confused.
Additionally, the Indian Coast Guard has launched ‘Operation Olivia’, using drones, patrol vessels, and aircraft to guard the nesting sites from illegal activities.
Record-breaking 6.41 L Olive Ridley Turtles have arrived at Rushikulya for the arribada!
— Prem Kumar Jha (@Prem_CWLWOdisha) February 22, 2025
To ensure smooth nesting, 5 km stretch has been fenced, joint sea patrolling intensified & nearby establishments urged to dim lights till hatchlings move out to sea.#OliveRidley #Arribada pic.twitter.com/HaR3XbxTEX
Shifting Nesting Grounds & Environmental Concerns
Earlier, Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha was one of the world’s largest nesting sites, along with Mexico and Costa Rica. However, coastal erosion has reduced its space, forcing many turtles to shift to Rushikulya.
Wildlife officials and conservationists are closely monitoring the turtles, ensuring their safe nesting and hatching along Odisha’s coastline.
