Olive Ridley Turtles

GS Paper III Environment

Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles, currently in their breeding season, are washing ashore along the Visakhapatnam coast.

Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is a marine wildlife sanctuary in the Indian state of Odisha, extending from the Dhamra River mouth in the north to Brahmani river mouth in the south.
Threats: Marine pollution, Poaching, Stray Dogs Destroying nests and accidental fishing gear entanglement.
Conservation Efforts: Protected area status, patrolling and monitoring by authorities.

About Olive Ridley Turtles

Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant species of sea turtles in the world.
They derive their name from the olive-green coloration of their carapace (shell).
Their mass nesting behavior, known as “Arribada,” involves thousands of females coming together on the same beach to lay eggs.
Olive Ridley turtles are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
Olive ridleys are omnivorous, mostly eating jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp but they will occasionally eat algae and seaweed as well.
Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is recognized as the world’s largest rookery of sea turtles.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I
- CITES: Included in Appendix I
Operation Olivia: Operation Olivia was initiated in the early 1980s to protect Olive Ridley turtles.
- The Indian Coast Guard conducts this operation annually from November to December, safeguarding Olive Ridley turtles as they congregate along the Odisha coast for breeding and nesting.

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