Rapid Fire
Olive Ridley Turtles
- 10 Jan 2026
- 3 min read
The ongoing olive ridley turtle (ORTs) nesting season is facing significant threats from human activities, highlighted by the recent discovery of carcasses linked to fishing nets and concerns over disruptive artificial lighting.
- About: Olive ridley turtles are the world's smallest sea turtle and have a heart-shaped, olive or grayish-green carapace.
- They are found in tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans; inhabit both open ocean and coastal waters.
- Diet and Behavior: ORTs are omnivorous, feeding on jellyfish, snails, crabs, and algae. They undertake long-distance migrations from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, reaching Indian coasts between November and December and remaining until April–May.
- The species is known for its synchronised mass nesting (arribada) on narrow sandy beaches near estuaries and bays, where each female lays about 100–140 eggs at a time.
- Key Indian sites are Gahirmatha (largest mass nesting), Rushikulya, and the Devi River mouth in Odisha, Visakhapatnam & Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Legal Protections: All the 5 species of sea turtles occurring in India, including the ORTs, are legally protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Appendix I of the CITES Convention. ORTs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- Conservation Measures: Operation Olivia by the Indian Coast Guard enforces fishing bans. Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) are mandated in Odisha. Tagging programs help track migration.
- A two-year telemetry study (2025–2027) will use satellite and flipper tags on Olive Ridley turtles in Tamil Nadu to monitor their behaviour, nesting, and interactions with fisheries.
- Major Threats: Despite an international trade ban, olive ridley turtles face severe threats from illegal poaching and egg trade, with the most significant mortality caused by accidental bycatch in trawl and gill nets during the nesting season.
| Read More: Mass Nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles |
