Olive Ridley hatchlings begin seaward journey

BERHAMPUR: Thousands of Olive Ridley hatchlings emerged from the eggs and began their sojourn to the sea from Rushikulya rookery on Thursday, marking the end of the year’s mass nesting season.

This year, the rookery had recorded the highest mass nesting, with over nine lakh sea turtles laying eggs in two phases. The emergence of the hatchling is likely to continue for more than a fortnight and to ensure the safety of the baby turtles, forest officials, along with local volunteers from Samudrika Kaincha Surakhya Samiti (SKSS) have mounted protective measures.

Assistant conservator of forests and in-charge of Khallikote forest range Dibya Shankar Behera said, due to the record number of eggs laid, an equally high number of hatchlings are expected to emerge this year.