It is nesting season for endangered Olive Ridley turtles. IFS officer shares video

New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 4, 2024 12:25 IST

The Olive Ridley turtles have made their way back to the shores of Gahirmatha in Odisha for their annual nesting season! This incredible phenomenon occurs every year as these endangered species travel all the way from the Indian Ocean to lay their eggs on this beach.

According to IFS officer Susanta Nanda, the mass nesting season has already begun. During this time, lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles arrive at the beach to lay their eggs. After a long journey from the Indian Ocean, these tired turtles rest for a few days before burying their eggs in the sand.

To ensure the safety of these precious creatures, the department responsible for protecting them has taken all necessary measures. They are fully prepared to ensure that this annual event goes smoothly and without incident.

“The splendid phenomenon of mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles at Gahirmatha has begun. Lakhs of them will be visiting our beach to lay eggs in next couple of days. Department is fully geared up to ensure safety of our annual visitors,” reads the caption.

Watch the video here:

The Olive Ridley turtle is known for its unique behaviour of mass nesting, where thousands of females congregate on a single beach to lay their eggs simultaneously. This behaviour makes the species vulnerable to threats from humans, such as poaching and habitat destruction.

To protect these endangered turtles, various measures have been taken, including the establishment of protected areas and strict regulations against disturbing their nesting sites. Despite these efforts, the Olive Ridley turtle population continues to decline due to various threats, including climate change and pollution.