Turtle nesting at Agonda beach
Gomantak Times
After a delayed start to the turtle nesting season, a sign of relief of forest officials as 34 Olive Ridley turtles turned up this season at Agonda and Galgibaga Beach to lay eggs.
The first Olive Ridley turtle arrived at Agonda on December 31, 2021, and laid 118 eggs, while the first Olive Ridley turtle arrived at Galgibaga, on January 3 and laid 117 eggs.
A total of 452 eggs have been kept in 17 nests at both places.
On January 26, more than 9 Olive Ridley turtles turned up at Agonda beach and laid 800 eggs before returning to the sea.
Turtles are known to come in singles but an amazing episode, four surfaced at Agonda on a single day on February 10 and deposited 454 eggs.
In the last 44 days, 17 Olive Ridley turtles have been able to lay their eggs on Agonda beach, while 6 turtles have come to Galgibaga beach to lay their eggs.
"After the arrival of the first turtle on January 7, a total of 34 sea turtles laid more than 2,000 eggs on the shore. The turtle usually hatch within 45 to 55 days after laying. They are safely released on the beach in the presence of forest officials," Ajay Pagi, Turtle Conservation Centre at Agonda.
The forest authority has placed them in pits and guarded the nest with a fishing net to protect the eggs from poachers and stray animals,
"Meanwhile, on the Agonda beach, stray dogs chase sea turtles away at night. Turtle released into the sea on the beach later return to lay their eggs in the same location, this is based on my experience. To get rid of so many stray dogs, the team has to put in a lot of effort," said Ajay Pagi