What is nesting site fidelity in Olive Ridley turtles?

Nesting site fidelity refers to the tendency of female Olive Ridley turtles to return to the same specific beaches or locations to lay their eggs season after season.

How many Olive Ridley nests have been recorded in Maharashtra this season?

This season, over 407 Olive Ridley nests have been recorded across 57 beaches in Maharashtra's coastal districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

When does the Olive Ridley turtle nesting season typically occur in Maharashtra?

The nesting season in Maharashtra typically spans from November to March, with hatchlings continuing until the end of May.

Home / Environment / Flipper Tags Reveal Turtle Loyalty to Guhagar Beach

Flipper Tags Reveal Turtle Loyalty to Guhagar Beach

2 Feb

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Summary

Tagged Olive Ridley turtles returned to Guhagar beach to nest.
Four tagged turtles nested at the same site this season.
Over 407 Olive Ridley nests recorded across Maharashtra's coast.

A pilot exercise utilizing flipper tags has yielded significant insights into the nesting behaviors of Olive Ridley turtles along India's western coast. A female turtle, initially tagged on Guhagar beach in Ratnagiri district on January 31 of last year, was recently observed returning to the same nesting site, identified by tags IND 11109 and IND 11110.

This year, four out of 62 female Olive Ridley turtles tagged in a pilot exercise along the Konkan coast have returned to the same nesting locations. Officials from the Maharashtra forest department view this as strong evidence of nesting site fidelity and a testament to successful conservation initiatives.

The current nesting season has been particularly fruitful, with over 407 nests recorded across 57 beaches in the coastal districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. This prolific nesting period is ongoing and is projected to continue until March, with February anticipated as the peak month.