Where are the new Olive Ridley turtle hatcheries in Chennai located?

The hatcheries are located at Pulicat, Besant Nagar, Neelankarai, and Kovalam along the Chennai coast.

Why are turtle hatchlings in Chennai released at twilight?

Releasing hatchlings at twilight minimizes their vulnerability to predators like crows and dogs, increasing survival rates.

What efforts are Chennai wildlife authorities making for sea turtles?

Authorities have established hatcheries, conduct beach patrols, secure nests, and have changed hatchling release timings.

Home / Environment / Chennai Protects Turtle Eggs with Coastal Hatcheries

Chennai Protects Turtle Eggs with Coastal Hatcheries

5 Jan

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Summary

Four hatcheries established along Chennai coast for Olive Ridley turtles.
Hatchlings now released at twilight to minimize predation.
Chennai wildlife authorities patrol beaches to secure nests.

Chennai Protects Turtle Eggs with Coastal Hatcheries

Wildlife authorities in Chennai have established four dedicated hatcheries along the coast to safeguard Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs during their nesting season, which is currently underway. These crucial conservation sites are situated in Pulicat, Besant Nagar, Neelankarai, and Kovalam, with operations expected to continue until May, marking the end of the egg-hatching period for the Tamil Nadu coast.

Field staff have intensified beach patrols and turtle walks, particularly in the Besant Nagar-Neelankarai area, successfully locating and securing several nests. For instance, nests found at Uroor Kuppam and Thiruvanmiyur yielded 94 and 111 eggs respectively. These were carefully transferred and reburied in protected pits at the Besant Nagar hatchery, designed to replicate natural nesting environments.