Nearly 700,000 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam district during the eight-day mass nesting event in February 2025. This marks a record-breaking event, especially as no nesting was observed at this beach in 2024.
Key Highlights
The mass nesting phenomenon, known as arribada (Spanish for “arrival”), witnessed a total of 6,98,718 Olive Ridley turtles laying eggs at Rushikulya.
This number surpasses the 2023 record of 6,37,000 turtles.
The highest recorded nesting in India occurred in 2001, when 7,41,000 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at Gahirmatha beach, another major rookery in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
Favorable weather conditions played a crucial role in this record-breaking nesting event, increasing the likelihood of higher hatchling survival rates.
About Olive Ridley Turtles
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Named after their olive-green, heart-shaped shell.
Smallest among the world’s sea turtles, found in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans.
Carnivorous, feeding on jellyfish, shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and fish eggs.
Highly migratory, traveling thousands of kilometers between feeding and nesting grounds.
Rarely nest during the daytime, preferring a nocturnal pattern.
Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting in the Indian Ocean
Odisha’s coast is the largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridleys, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica.
Arribada Phenomenon: Thousands of females return to the same beach where they hatched to lay eggs. Each female lays 100+ eggs, burying them in the sand for natural incubation.
Hatchling Survival Rate: Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. The eggs begin to hatch in 45-65 days, and these olive-ridley turtle babies make their first trek towards the vast ocean.
Three arribada beaches in Odisha:
- Gahirmatha
- Devi River mouth
- Rushikulya
Threats to Olive Ridley Turtles
Global population decline (30-50%) due to overexploitation for meat and eggs.
International trade is banned (CITES Appendix I), but illegal poaching for meat, shells, and leather continues.
Major threats:
- Fishing practices (trawl and gill nets) cause accidental deaths during migration and nesting.
- Coastal development for ports and tourism disrupts nesting sites.
- Pollution and habitat destruction threaten nesting and feeding grounds.
Conservation Measures in India
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Odisha has made it mandatory for trawlers to use TEDs—specialized nets allowing turtles to escape.
Operation Olivia (by Indian Coast Guard): Launched in 1991, this annual initiative protects turtles along the Odisha coast during the breeding season (November-December). ICG provides continuous assistance to both Central and State authorities in protecting endangered species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Metal Tagging (Zoological Survey of India & Odisha Forest Dept.): Since 2021, turtles are tagged with non-corrosive metal tags to track migration and protect habitats.
Legal Protection for Olive Ridley Turtles
- IUCN Status – Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – Appendix I
The record-breaking mass nesting at Rushikulya highlights the success of conservation efforts in Odisha. With continued protection, strict enforcement of fishing regulations, and community involvement, the future of Olive Ridley turtles in India looks promising.