The Threat to Olive Ridley Nests Still Looms

After the high tides induced by Cyclone Asani destroyed over 1 crore Olive Ridley Turtle eggs at Rushikulya in Ganjam, the trouble seems far from over. With the full moon day approaching, the forest officials worry about the fate of the left over eggs that wait to hatch. The tides are the highest on a full moon day.

Around 5 lakh Olive Ridley turtles had arrived at the Rushikulya beach to lay eggs this year. The mass nesting period began from March 27. Around 15 percent of the eggs have been destroyed owing to the severe high tides during Cyclone Asani and the rest are expected to start hatching before March 16.

The eggs are laid by the female Olive Ridley turtles and left on the 5km long beach to hatch. It takes around 45-50 days for them to hatch. The eggs require ideal temperature and protection to not be damaged.