Male, female Olive Ridley turtles show distinct movement patterns: Study

A study has found that Olive Ridley turtles which congregate in lakhs for annual nesting on the Odisha coast showed distinct movement and habitat use patterns between males and femalesThis was part of the firstyear findings of a threeyear study by the Wildlife Institute of India WII Odisha Wildlife Organisation Department of Forest Environment amp Climate Change Dhamra Port Co Ltd DPCL and the Adani FoundationOdishas Forest Environment and Climate Change minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia on Saturday released the firstyear report of a threeyear research initiative led by the Dehradunbased Wildlife Institute of India WIIThe research brought together satellite telemetry boatbased surveys and shoreline analysis to understand how Olive Ridley turtles used Odishas coastal waters and nesting habitatsThe telemetry findings showed distinct movement patterns between male and female Olive Ridleys Male turtles began their offshore migration earlier while females remained in nearshore waters for longer periods The data also pointed to possible foraging stopovers along the continental shelf and across the Bay of Bengal the report saidThe report also mentioned that one female turtle travelled 6719 km over 271 days reaching waters east of Sri Lanka Another travelled nearly 200 km from Gahirmatha in Kendrapara district to Rushikulya in Ganjam district and back highlighting the extent to which Olive Ridleys moved between different parts of Odishas coastlineThe boatbased surveys during the 202526 nesting season the report said recorded 1390 individual turtles and 67 mating pairs Most sightings were recorded within two kilometres of the coastline Sustained monitoring is required to better understand how these movement and habitatuse patterns could influence the conservation of nesting habitats the report saidOdisha hosts some of the worlds most important Olive Ridley nesting sites including Gahirmatha in Kendrapara district and Rushikulya in Ganjam district where mass nesting takes placeProtected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 the species receives the highest level of legal protection in IndiaThe initial fieldwork focused on the Gahirmatha rookery with satellite tagging at both Gahirmatha and Rushikulya APSEZ operates Dhamra and Gopalpur ports in Odisha the report saidDr R Suresh Kumar Senior Scientist WII in a statement said This study marks the renewal of satellite tracking of Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha after nearly 15 years The partnership with Odisha Forest Department Dhamra Port and Adani Foundation has enabled us to generate new insights into the movement patterns and habitat use of these turtles The findings provide a scientific foundation for evidencebased conservation planning We will continue tracking more turtles to build a stronger dataset that can support management strategies and longterm conservationThe Olive Ridley is an important part of Odishas natural heritage and protecting it requires a deeper understanding of its journey We are pleased to support WIIs scientific work and contribute to conservation The focus of the Odisha government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on sustainability and environmental conservation provides a strong foundation for such pioneering work and we are pleased to contribute to this effort said Dr Priti G Adani Chairperson Adani FoundationDr Abhishek Lakhtakia Chief Executive Officer CEO Adani Foundation attended the event on behalf of the social welfare and development arm of the Adani GroupThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever