The research team, under the supervision of Dr Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has been tracking Dhaval Lakshmi in coordination with the Mangrove Cell and the Dahanu Forest Division
The satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle has travelled over 1,000 km. Pics/Special Arrangement
Released into the Arabian Sea from Dahanu in Maharashtra, the satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle ‘Dhaval Lakshmi’ has covered an extraordinary distance and is now being tracked around 500 km from the coast of Oman, highlighting the species’ long-range marine movement.
According to the Mangrove Cell, "As of 05/02/2026, the satellite-tagged turtle 'Dhaval Lakshmi' continues its westward movement through the deep waters of the Arabian Sea. Currently 500 km from the coast of Oman, it is observed to be diving normally, occasionally performing deep dives reaching depths of up to 250 m."
The research team, under the supervision of Dr Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), has been tracking Dhaval Lakshmi in coordination with the Mangrove Cell and the Dahanu Forest Division.
The satellite-tagged Olive Ridley, released in November 2025, has travelled over 1,000 km, with a straight-line distance of more than 850 km.
Read More: In a first, satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle released off Dahanu coast in Maharashtra
Rescue and satellite tagging
The Dahanu Forest Division and the Mangrove Cell, in collaboration with WII, attached a satellite transmitter to a female Olive Ridley turtle in Palghar district and released it back into the sea.
The turtle was rescued by local fishermen on 10 August 2025 after being found entangled in a fishing net, with injuries on both front flippers. Following treatment at the Turtle Treatment Centre, Dhaval Lakshmi was fitted with a satellite tag and released.
This marks the first Olive Ridley to be tagged in Palghar district and the eighth along the Maharashtra coastline.
Read more: Satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle Dhaval Lakshmi remains near Dahanu
Dhaval Lakshmi’s Journey
- On December 22, 2025: Moved over 200 km west of Dahanu, entering Gujarat waters, about 83 km south of Somnath.
- On December 29, 2025: Tracked around 400 km from Dahanu and approximately 100 km off the Porbandar coast.
- On January 5, 2026: Reached the open, deep waters of the Arabian Sea, nearly 650 km from Dahanu coast.
Read more: Olive Ridley turtle travels 27 km northwest
Ongoing Study
The Mangrove Foundation and forest department have tasked WII with the project Tracking the Migratory Movements of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles off the Coast of Maharashtra.
This second phase aims to study population distribution, movement, feeding areas, and behaviour, with additional tagging projects planned.
A female Olive Ridley lays 100–150 eggs, which take 45–55 days to hatch.
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