Olive Ridley Turtle mating season begins near Odisha’s Rushikulya coast

Olive Ridley Turtle mating season begins near Odisha’s Berhampur; conservation measures tightened.

The Forest Department has increased conservation efforts because the Olive Ridley turtle's annual mating season has started in the waters off the mouth of the Rushikulya River in the Ganjam district of Odisha.

To reach this section of the Odisha coastline, thousands of Olive Ridley turtles travel a great distance across the Indian Ocean each year. Their arrival typically begins in November, with mating activity intensifying in December. This is followed by the spectacular mass nesting phenomenon, known as arribada, between February and March. Hatchlings usually emerge around six weeks after the eggs are laid.

Authorities have imposed stringent restrictions on fishing in the area to protect the breeding process. Key nesting and mating areas have been declared prohibited zones, and public access has been curtailed to minimise disturbance to the turtles.

The Olive Ridley turtle is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The species continues to face serious threats from habitat degradation, marine pollution, and the impacts of climate change, making conservation measures during the breeding season crucial for its survival.