The mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles has commenced at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary since Friday following more than 4.29 lakh lakh female turtles laid eggs at the nests on the beach of Nasi-II within a span of 24 hours.
The mass nesting phenomenon would continue for nearly four to five days, informed Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division DFO Dr Jangyadatta Pati.
This is the first time in the history of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary where such a large number of endangered Olive Ridley turtles came for laying eggs on the first day, DFO Pati said.
“We are yet to spot the tagged turtles that came to lay eggs on the first day as on the first and second day generally young female turtles come for laying eggs en masse. We expect the tagged turtles would come on third /fourth day of ongoing mass nesting phenomenon,” said Pati.
During the day hour , the turtles remain in coast due to heat whereas during the evening hours they are coming out for laying eggs. The female turtles tend to move towards the beaches in large synchronized concentrations . The female turtles lay 100- 120 eggs in a go.
With the DRDO prohibiting visitors, only a handful of forest personnel on turtle protection duty have been engaged at the beach. Turtle nests have been counted segment wise at Nasi –II beach . As many as 28 segments have been formed at Nasi-II beach. Each segment has been formed with 100 meter width. About 70 forest personnel were deployed to count the turtle nest in each segment in an hour, said official sources.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Wheeler Island has also masked the light to provide security to the endangered species.
"As during low tide period the dogs generally strayed from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Abdul Kalam Wheeler’s Island to feast on the turtle eggs from the nests, the forest personnel have set up 3 km fencing to ward off the menace. Apart from that steps have been taken to guard the nesting grounds to protect the turtle eggs from predators like crows and eagles," said Pati.