Bhubaneswar/Mumbai: An Olive Ridley Turtle’s exceptional 3,500 km journey from India’s east coast to the west, has got scientists doing a rethink on previous studies conducted on this species.
This particular turtle was among the 12,000 such reptiles tagged by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Odisha’s Gahirmatha beach in 2021. It bears the tag number 03233. When it left Gahirmatha after laying eggs, scientists expected it to move towards Sri Lanka – as the turtles normally do.
However, this particular animal turned towards the Arabian Sea and made straight for the Guhagar beach in Ratnagiri, where it laid 120 eggs, of which 107 have hatched. Scientists say that this is the first time such an incident has been recorded.
ZSI scientist Dr Basudeb Tripathi says that the event is extremely significant. It was earlier believed that the turtles from the east and west coasts were different species. This phenomenal journey by this turtle, branded by many as ‘Marco Polo’ among Olive Ridleys, has suggested a connection between the animals from both coasts.
Dr Suresh Kumar from the Wildlife Institute of India that such turtles could be adopting a dual reproductive strategy, laying eggs first in Odisha and then in Maharashtra. This could be a way to ensure survival of more hatchlings.
Scientists say that this finding has underscored the need to protect nesting sites along both coasts. The turtle is being closely studied to learn more about such behaviour. The study will be key to understanding the conservation needs of the species.
Meanwhile, scientists are also studying the 1,000 km journey by two satellite-tagged Olive Ridleys from Gahirmatha to Sri Lanka. The study of the movement of Olive Ridleys will help shed new light on the migratory pattern of the animals.
