The Forest department is in the process of releasing Olive Ridley hatchlings into the sea along the Nagapattinam coast. So far, a few thousand hatchlings have been released.
Unlike in previous years, the hatchlings are being released late due to disruption in the pattern of movement of the endangered species caused by Cyclone Gaja in November last.
The arrival of the turtles for nesting and laying eggs was delayed by at least a month, according to Forest department sources.
Post-cyclone, the department restored hatcheries at Kottagaimedu, Koozhaiyar, Vanagiri, Arcottuthurai, Kodiakarai and Vizhunthamavadi for incubating the eggs. This time around, there has been a fall in the number of eggs, department staff said.
The cyclone deposited huge amounts of clay, resulting in hardness of the coastline. The arrival of the turtles began only after the surface softened, as the soil must be loose enough for digging.
Last year, the department released nearly 17,000 hatchlings. It ropes in fishermen to keep a watch on the eggs to ensure they are not preyed on by dogs. The eggs are taken to the hatcheries and kept at temperatures ranging from 30 to 32 degree Celsius for a duration between 45 and 60 days.
The Olive Ridleys have a low survival rate as the hatchlings are preyed on by sea birds and crabs. They can grow up to two feet in length and weigh up to 50 kg. Even adult turtles get entangled in trawl and gill nets of mechanised boats.
The International Union for Conservation has categorised Olive Ridley sea turtles as ‘vulnerable’ in its list of endangered species.
