Sea Turtles Swarm the Beaches in India for Annual Mass Nesting (WATCH)

February 23, 2025 journo

Olive Ridley sea turtles return to lay eggs in annual nesting ritual in Odisha, India – SWNS

Thousands of sea turtles have taken over a beach as part of the annual mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles in India.

The incredible video shows a seemingly endless stretch of beach in Odisha, with waves of turtles slogging ashore near the mouth of the Rushikulya River.

According to Divisional Forest Officer Sunny Khokkar, over 11,000 turtles laid their eggs on February 16 across the 2.5-mile stretch of land (4km). It was the first day of ‘Arribada’, the unique nesting ritual where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.

Interestingly, they return to the very same beach where they first hatched as a baby. During the phenomenal nesting, up to 600,000 females emerge from the water during the five to seven day period.

The 2-foot-long turtles then dig pits in the sand to lay between 100 and 150 eggs, before covering them and returning to the sea.

After about 45-65 days, the eggs begin to hatch, and these beaches are swamped with tiny Olive Ridley turtles, making their first trek towards the vast ocean.

It is estimated that approximately 1 hatchling survives to reach adulthood for every 1000 hatchlings that enter the sea waters.

The plentiful species is categorized as “Vulnerable” by international wildlife groups, so to safeguard the nesting process, the Forest Department has implemented protective measures.

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Local volunteers help to create a secure environment and the beach has been fenced off to prevent visitors from disturbing the nests—and the restrictions are set to remain in place until the hatchlings have emerged.

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