[Watch] Olive Ridley Hatchlings Crawl Towards Sea At Odisha’s Rushikulya Rookery

Berhampur: In a heartening display of nature’s resilience, the much-anticipated mass hatching of Olive Ridley sea turtles has begun at Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

Thousands of tiny hatchlings have been emerging from sandy nests and instinctively crawling toward the Bay of Bengal in the early morning hours over the past two days.

According to Sunny Khokar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Berhampur, mass hatching typically occurs 50 to 60 days after nesting and has commenced on schedule at the rookery. The phenomenon is expected to continue for the next 3 to 4 days.

This hatching follows a four-day mass nesting (arribada) period from March 14 to 17, during which approximately 2.05 lakh Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs along the beach. This figure represents a notable decline compared to previous years, such as the record nearly 9 lakh turtles in 2025. Female turtles return to the sea immediately after laying their eggs (typically 80–120 per clutch), leaving the next generation to fend for themselves.

Forest officials and local stakeholders have implemented robust protection measures.

Assistant Conservator of Forest Dibya Shankar Behera highlighted that the area has been fenced to deter predators such as wild dogs, jackals, and hyenas. Patrolling has been intensified to guard against birds and other threats, and the entire zone has been declared a no-entry area.

Around 40 local volunteers and wildlife activists are actively assisting forest personnel. They have been collecting stray hatchlings in buckets to safely guide them to the sea, while industries, Gopalpur Port, and civic authorities have been requested to dim streetlights at night to prevent disorientation of the light-sensitive hatchlings.

On social media, wildlife enthusiasts and officials shared the spectacle. IFS officer Parveen Kaswan described it as “one of nature’s most heartwarming spectacles,” noting the hatchlings’ instinctive journey guided by millions of years of evolution.

How life begins.

At the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam, Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings have begun their remarkable journey to the sea. One of nature’s most heartwarming spectacles.

After nearly 45 days of incubation, thousands of tiny hatchlings are now emerging from the… pic.twitter.com/XDd0cN2hvY

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) May 6, 2026

The PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, also posted videos of the emerging hatchlings, underscoring its importance for the species’ life cycle.

This year’s much awaited mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles has begun at Rushikulya along Odisha’s coast. Thousands of tiny hatchlings are emerging from their nests and making their first journey to the sea, marking a crucial phase in the life cycle of this iconic marine… pic.twitter.com/E4USHAaIDc

— PCCF WL & CWLW, Odisha (@PCCFWL_Odisha) May 6, 2026

The event has drawn researchers, tourists, and nature lovers to witness this natural wonder, highlighting ongoing efforts to balance coastal development with marine biodiversity conservation in Odisha.