Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles started in Ganjam district of Odisha

The mass nesting of endangered species Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles started in second week of March 2015 near river Rushikulya mouth in Ganjam district of Odisha.

On the first day of nesting, around 10000 female turtles laid eggs in over 3-km-long sandy beach from Gokharakuda to Podampeta. Wildlife experts anticipated that the unique phenomenon would continue for some more days.

This mass nesting season of Olive Ridley was followed by the sporadic nesting in the rookery, which is considered as the second largest after Gahiramatha (world's most important nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles).

Other famous places as mass nesting sites for the Olive Ridley also includes the Devi River mouth in Odisha coast.

Actions taken to secure the Olive Ridley and their eggs
Around 100-150 eggs are laid by each female turtle and to protect the Olive Ridley and its eggs and around 175 persons including forest personnel, wildlife activists and nearby villagers are engaged round the clock. This protection will continue for next 50 days till the hatching takes place.

The protection is required as the mother turtles do not wait for 45 to 50 days to see the baby turtles emerge hatching.