RIDING THE WAVES OF CHANGE : THE OLIVE RIDLEY SEA TURTLE'S FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

 

Olive ridley sea turtles, also known as Pacific sea turtles are a species of sea turtle found in warm water and tropical water all around the world. They are named for the olive green colour of their heart shaped shells, which can reach up to 2 feet in length.

One of the most unique characteristics of olive ridley turtles is their mass nesting behaviour , known as arribadas . During an arribada, thousands of female olive ridleys come ashore to lay their eggs at the same time and location. This behaviour is still not fully understood by scientists , but it is thought to increase the survival rate of species by overwhelming potential predators.

Unfortunately olive ridley sea turtles face many threats to their survival , including pollution, habitat destruction , and over exploitation of their eggs and meat . In addition , accidental capture in fishing gear and climate change are also major threats to the species.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect olive ridley turtles , including protected nesting beaches, regulation of egg collection , and education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of the species.

PROTECTION STATUS

• IUCN Red List : Vulnerable.
• CITES : Endangered.
• Other National laws

IN INDIA

• Protected under wildlife protection act of 1972 , which prohibits hunting, capturing or killing the species .
• The turtle action plan .
• The turtle festival ; held annually in Odisha , to spread awareness.
• The turtle excluder device programme , they allow sea turtles to escape from fishing nets.
• Costal  regulation zone , restricts the construction and development activities in costal areas.

In India olive ridley turtles are primarily found along the east coast , specifically in the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh . The Gahirmatha marine sanctuary and Bitharkanika national park in Odisha are some of the largest mass nesting sites for the species in the world. Rushikulya and Devi river mouths in Odisha and the Ramayapatnam beach in Andhra Pradesh are also important nesting sites.

They are also found in other states along east coast of India such as West Bengal , Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, also along west coast of India such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa.

They feed and breed in different areas and travel long distances.

CHALLENGES

• Habitat destruction.
• By catch.
• Egg collection - used as food
• Climate change.
• Pollution.
• Illegal trades.
• Coastal development.