Olive ridley turtle eggs discovered on Mangaluru beach

Mangaluru: In a rare occurrence, Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs have been discovered on the beaches of Mangaluru, marking the first recorded instance in Dakshina Kannada district.

The forest department’s vigilant team observed Olive Ridley turtles laying eggs on three different sections of the beach near Suratkal, prompting immediate conservation measures.

Historically, Olive Ridley turtles have been documented laying eggs in Kundapur, but the bustling human activity on Mangaluru beaches had previously deterred their presence. This time, the forest department proactively formed three surveillance teams to monitor the beach, particularly during the nocturnal egg-laying period.

Olive Ridley turtles, known for their shy and slow-moving nature, gather during the middle of the night and early morning to lay eggs. After laying eggs, the turtles do not return, and the eggs naturally break and hatch. To safeguard the eggs from potential damage and infection, they are carefully relocated from the original nesting site to a more secure location, utilizing sand from the same area. The eggs are then covered with sand and protected with mesh to prevent disturbance from dogs and humans. The entire hatching process takes approximately 45 days.

Local communities along the coast have been sensitized about the importance of conserving Olive Ridley turtle eggs. The surveillance teams include local residents, and a reward has been announced for reporting the discovery of turtle eggs. The forest department team, now equipped with enhanced knowledge, actively participates in the conservation efforts. Olive Ridley turtles typically lay around 100 eggs at a time.

Olive Ridley turtles are elusive in determining their egg-laying sites, unlike the mass nesting observed in Odisha. The challenge lies in identifying and preserving the eggs when only a few turtles come to the coast for egg-laying. Presently, eggs have been identified in three locations, and conservation efforts are underway, said Antony Mariappa, DCF, Mangaluru.