The Olive Ridley hatchlings are impatient. They flail their just-developed flippers with all their might, determined to go somewhere. Left to fend for themselves by their mother some 45 days ago, they have no idea where they are. They lift their scaly heads a little, and see a gigantic brown dome — an upturned bamboo basket — above them. The sand beneath them feels warm; it’s just like the nest in which they were born.
They continue to fidget when suddenly, the dome is lifted. It’s utter chaos as they scamper about madly, bumping into their siblings. ‘Where to? Where to?’ is the collective question on their minds. But help is at hand. They are gently scooped into a plastic basket by human hands. The panic and confusion doubles as more hatchlings from nearby nests are added. Their searching flippers extend in all directions; one or two even get as far as the edge of the basket, only to be nudged inside by the bearer.
They feel movement and hear the waves. Soon, the basket in which they travel reaches level ground. In one gentle move, it is tilted and the hatchlings are near water for the first time in their lives. They inch towards the water’s edge as though they were born to do this — in fact, they were. Each one scurries at his/her own speed. Some get stuck in the wet sand only to wiggle out a moment later.
But the instant the hatchlings touch water, they disappear into it like phantoms. One after the other, they merge into the sea in search of a new beginning.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department facilitates the release of Olive Ridley hatchlings from their hatchery near Broken Bridge in Besant Nagar. The activity happens at dusk, when birds such as crows, which could feed on the hatchlings, retire for the day. Forester A.C. Edison says that 9,672 eggs were collected this year, from which 5,069 hatchlings have been released so far. The remaining will be released over the next few weeks. Those interested can watch the turtles being released at 5.30 p.m. onwards till May 10. For details, call 044-2220 0335.
