OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Env and Eco)

Context: Wildlife experts expect a higher number of Olive Ridley turtles, an endangered species, to lay eggs this year in the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

Olive Ridley Turtles

• Size and Abundance: The Olive ridley turtles hold the title of being the smallest and most abundant among all sea turtles worldwide.
• Characterized by:  Olive-colored carapace, are carnivores, deriving their name from this distinctive feature.
• Arribada Mass Nesting: Renowned for their remarkable behavior, Olive ridley turtles engage in Arribada, a unique mass nesting phenomenon where thousands of females converge on the same beach to lay eggs.
• Habitat: Warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.

oGahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: Odisha's Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary stands out as the world's largest rookery, serving as a crucial breeding ground for these sea turtles.

• Protection Status

oWildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1.

oIUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

oCITES: Appendix I.