Olive Ridleys begin mass nesting at Rushikulya

BERHAMPUR: The Olive Ridleys, the rare and endangered marine turtle species of the world, have started arriving for nesting at Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district. The Ridleys usually start their single mating season every year in the sea near their preferred nesting coast. After the end of the mating season, most male turtles return leaving behind the females to lay their eggs. While the nesting starts sporadically from January-end, the peak period is February. This year, however, nesting was delayed by a month, said Berhampur DFO Ajay Kumar Jena, who is monitoring the protection of these turtles during nesting.The DFO added that over 2,000 turtles had reached the coast in the last two days and the nesting is likely to pick up within a week. The Olive Ridleys nested on a stretch of around 2.5 km near Rushikulya rookery. Rushikulya is one of the most preferred nesting sites of Olive Ridleys. Jena said the mass nesting is expected to continue for a few more days as a large number of turtles are still in the sea near the coast waiting to lay their eggs in the night.Forest Department officials and wildlife experts are monitoring the mass nesting. Data regarding arrival and laying of eggs of Ridleys are also being recorded.Meanwhile, the fishermen of the area and tourists have been advised not enter the sea to help the mother turtles come onto the coast at night. Forest officials are keeping a vigil on tourists to maintain  tranquillity at the beach, a major criterion for mass nesting.Jena said efforts were also being made to protect the eggs from dogs and foxes which usually dig the area and devour them.Forest officials apart, youths of nearby villages and Rushikulya sea turtle protection forum are engaged in protection of the turtle eggs.Fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating to check turtles’ mortality at the nesting sites on account of trawlers. To check illegal entry of fishing trawlers to this region, regular patrolling is being conducted in the sea. The Government has banned all types of fishing within 10 km off Rushikulya.

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