Mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles has begun at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery (near Ganjam district).
The coast of Odisha in India is the largest mass nesting site for the Olive-ridley, followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica.
Features:
The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
These turtles are carnivores and get their name from their olive colored carapace.
Habitat: They are found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Migration: They migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.
Arribada (Mass Nesting): They are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada.
Threats:
They are extensively poached for their meat, shell and leather, and their eggs.
Protection Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix I
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972: Schedule I
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