Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys

Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment; Conservation

In News: 

• Vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles have returned to Odisha’s Rushikulya river in lakhs for mass nesting.

Key takeaways:

• The animals had skipped Rushikulya in 2019 which became a cause of concern for turtle researchers.
• Tourists have been barred from visiting Rushikulya due to the countrywide lockdown in place since March 24.
• Thousands of turtles also laid eggs at Gahiramatha marine sanctuary recently.

Important value additions:

Olive Ridley

• The Olive Ridley sea turtle is the most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
• It is found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• It is best known for their unique mass nesting called arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
• IUCN status: Vulnerable.

Marine Turtles

• Five species of sea turtles are known to inhabit Indian coastal waters and islands.

• Olive Ridley turtle 

• Green turtle

• Hawksbill turtle

• Loggerhead turtle

• Leatherback turtle

• Except the Loggerhead, the remaining four species nest along the Indian coast.

Olive Ridley turtle

Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys

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