Turtle nesting season ends in Canacona
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
A set of several Olive Ridley hatchlings were released into the sea from the last turtle nesting pit at the Nature's Interpretation Centre run by forest department at Agonda beach on June 2.
The long turtle nesting season which began at the end of December 2015 came to an end, during which a total of 1581 Olive Ridley hatchlings were released into the Arabian Sea from the two turtle nesting protection beaches at Agonda and Galgibaga in Canacona taluka.
According to officials of Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, which runs the two nature interpretation centres at Galgibaga and Agonda beaches, guarding and protecting turtle nests, a total of 1931 turtle eggs were protected at both the centres.
Agonda topped with 13 turtle nests with 1317 eggs, but released 1085 Olive Ridley hatchlings with a mortality of 232 eggs/hatchlings during procreation period.
Galgibaga, which had its first turtle nest on December 24, 2015, had only six turtle nests with 614 eggs and released 496 Olive Ridley babies at the end of the season. In all, 118 eggs were found spoiled in the pit itself, informed forest officials.
Olive Ridley turtles believed to be going extinct due to large scale poaching of eggs and turtles for meat as delicacies begin to arrive to lay eggs at September-end till mid April. The eggs take between 55-58 days to hatch.
Forest officials said both turtle protection beaches and their coasts are actively involved in hectic tourism activities from October to May, affecting the arrival of turtles to lay eggs.
