Daily News Analysis ‘Olive Ridley Turtles’ : 5 January

The annual breeding and mating season for Olive Ridley turtles has begun along India’s coastline, with record-breaking mass nesting (Arribada) recently observed in Odisha and new hatcheries established in Goa and Tamil Nadu.

Smallest & Most Abundant: These are the smallest and most populous sea turtles in the world. They get their name from the olive-green color of their heart-shaped shell (carapace).
Unique Nesting (Arribada): They are famous for Arribada (Spanish for “arrival”), a unique synchronized mass nesting behavior where thousands of females converge on the same beach to lay eggs.
Major Indian Rookeries (Odisha):
- Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: The world’s largest nesting ground.
- Rushikulya River Mouth: The second largest nesting site in India.
- Devi River Mouth: Another significant mass nesting beach.
Migration & Navigation: They migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and breeding grounds. They use the Earth’s magnetic field and solar cues for navigation to return to their natal beaches (Philopatry).
Diet: They are omnivorous, feeding on jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp, as well as algae.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
- CITES: Appendix I (prohibits international trade).
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection in India).
Conservation Initiatives:
- Operation Olivia: An annual mission by the Indian Coast Guard to protect these turtles from illegal fishing trawlers during their nesting season.
- Tagging: Metal tagging by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) helps track their migratory routes and lifespan.