Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys

  • IASbaba
  • March 26, 2020
  • 0
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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

Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys

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