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Olive Ridley eggs hatch after 52 days, released into sea at Kollam

The eggs of Olive Ridley turtles hatched on the Pozhikkara beach near the Kollam district of Kerala on Sunday. The baby turtles were later released into the sea.

Olive ridley turtle hatchlings
Olive ridley turtle hatchlings
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Published : Apr 14, 2021, 9:53 AM IST

Kollam: After a wait of 52 days, the eggs of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles hatched on the Pozhikkara beach near the Kollam district of Kerala on Sunday. The baby turtles were later released into the sea.

Travancore Nature History Society, based in Thiruvananthapuram had taken up the responsibility of conserving the eggs. The 15-member team led by Ansil Sherif, Dr Kalesh Sadashivan, Jayakumar and Shaji were tasked with the conservation of Olive Ridley turtle eggs.

The Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs along the shores where there are no sea walls built. Based on the weather conditions and temperature, the eggs take about 45 to 60 days to hatch.

Olive ridley turtle hatchlings get released to the sea at Kollam

A fisherman from Pozhikkara spotted the eggs 52 days ago and informed the society. From that day, the team engaged its members round-the-clock to protect and conserve the eggs. The turtles had laid about 60 eggs each in 5 nests along the beach here. The eggs in only one of the 5 nests have hatched as of now.

Also read: Volunteer group rescues pet animals , birds as owner flees

In India, most Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs along the Odisha coast. The Ridley turtles which reach the shores to lay eggs are poached in large numbers here. Turtles form an important part of the diet of the people living in the coastal areas. However, with the COVID pandemic, as people are not going out as much as earlier, researchers and conservationists say that many turtles are left safe this year. On reaching full growth, the Ridley turtles weigh about 55 to 60 kilograms.

The fisherfolks living in the area say that Ridley turtles have laid eggs along the coastal area in the earlier years also. However, this time the team took extra care to conserve and protect the eggs from other birds, snakes and street dogs. If the eggs are to be transferred to a hatchery or another place to safeguard them, it has to be done within 10 hours.

Kollam: After a wait of 52 days, the eggs of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles hatched on the Pozhikkara beach near the Kollam district of Kerala on Sunday. The baby turtles were later released into the sea.

Travancore Nature History Society, based in Thiruvananthapuram had taken up the responsibility of conserving the eggs. The 15-member team led by Ansil Sherif, Dr Kalesh Sadashivan, Jayakumar and Shaji were tasked with the conservation of Olive Ridley turtle eggs.

The Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs along the shores where there are no sea walls built. Based on the weather conditions and temperature, the eggs take about 45 to 60 days to hatch.

Olive ridley turtle hatchlings get released to the sea at Kollam

A fisherman from Pozhikkara spotted the eggs 52 days ago and informed the society. From that day, the team engaged its members round-the-clock to protect and conserve the eggs. The turtles had laid about 60 eggs each in 5 nests along the beach here. The eggs in only one of the 5 nests have hatched as of now.

Also read: Volunteer group rescues pet animals , birds as owner flees

In India, most Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs along the Odisha coast. The Ridley turtles which reach the shores to lay eggs are poached in large numbers here. Turtles form an important part of the diet of the people living in the coastal areas. However, with the COVID pandemic, as people are not going out as much as earlier, researchers and conservationists say that many turtles are left safe this year. On reaching full growth, the Ridley turtles weigh about 55 to 60 kilograms.

The fisherfolks living in the area say that Ridley turtles have laid eggs along the coastal area in the earlier years also. However, this time the team took extra care to conserve and protect the eggs from other birds, snakes and street dogs. If the eggs are to be transferred to a hatchery or another place to safeguard them, it has to be done within 10 hours.

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