How many olive ridley sea turtle eggs were collected in Chennai recently?

Wildlife officials recently collected over 2,000 olive ridley sea turtle eggs from 18 nests on Elliot's Beach and Marina Beach in a single night.

What is the increase in olive ridley turtle nests in Chennai this year?

Nesting activity has significantly increased, with January 2026 recording 63 nests, nearly three times the 23 nests documented in January 2025.

What conservation efforts have led to the increase in turtle nesting in Chennai?

Intensified patrolling, targeted awareness programs in fishing communities, and sustained conservation efforts are credited with the surge in nesting and reduced sea turtle mortalities.

Home / Environment / Olive Ridley Eggs Surge: Chennai Beaches See Nesting Boom

Olive Ridley Eggs Surge: Chennai Beaches See Nesting Boom

12 Feb

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Summary

Over 2,000 olive ridley turtle eggs collected in one night.
Nesting activity nearly triples compared to last year.
Conservation efforts attributed to increased nesting success.

Olive Ridley Eggs Surge: Chennai Beaches See Nesting Boom

Chennai's coastline has witnessed an unprecedented surge in olive ridley sea turtle nesting this season. Wildlife officials recently gathered more than 2,000 eggs from 18 nests located on Elliot's Beach and Marina Beach in a single night, marking a significant achievement.

The data reveals a substantial increase in nesting activity compared to the previous year. In January 2026, officials documented 63 nests, a threefold rise from the 23 nests recorded in January 2025. As of February 2026, 119 nests have been identified, with a total of 14,061 eggs collected so far.

State forest secretary Supriya Sahu highlighted that each nest averaged over 125 eggs, a very encouraging sign for the endangered species. Over the past 41 days, the dedicated turtle walk team has identified 100 nests, including two natural nests, and has already released the first batch of 88 hatchlings.