Mating season of Olive Ridley turtles begins in Odisha

The mating season of Olive Ridley turtles has begun near Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district, as the administration increased patrolling to keep away poachers, an official said.

Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sunny Khokkar said that many pairs of turtles were seen in the area, and mating might pick up in the last week of



December.

Nesting of turtles usually takes place for 45 days after mating, he said.

After mating, female turtles lay eggs by digging pits in the sand and return to the sea, with the hatchlings emerging 45-50 days later.

“We hope Olive Ridley turtles turn up in large numbers this year as well. Mass nesting is expected to take place in the third week of February,” the DFO said.