The Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Agonda.
CANACONA
The Forest (Wildlife) department is upbeat as 35 Olive Ridley turtles visited the Agonda coast and laid eggs since January, while 2,038 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were later released into the sea.
According to RFO Anant Velip, eggs from 21 nests have been hatched so far, while eggs from the remaining 14 nests are presently being guarded by Forest (Wildlife) wardens at Agonda beach.
“Of the eggs from the 10 nests hatched in March, 1071 Olive Ridley hatchlings were released into the sea and 967 hatchlings from 11 nests were released this month,” said Velip.
The 35 Olive Ridley turtles had laid eggs along different parts of the 3-km long Agonda shore and the eggs were subsequently shifted to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and placed in 35 different pits for protection from stray animals and poachers.
Elsewhere, the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Galgibaga beach was not as successful, with only 4 turtle nests and a total of 435 eggs. Of them, 136 hatchlings from two nests were released into the sea.
“The eggs from the remaining two nests are due to be hatched one of these days,” said Velip.
Incidentally, the forest department is pursuing a proposal to develop about 1.6 lakh sq. mtrs of land for the welfare of Olive Ridley turtles at Galgibaga.
