Dark Portfolio Finalists | Nature Infocus
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Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as Pacific Ridley Sea Turtles, are the most abundant sea turtle species in the world. They are omnivorous reptiles that also feed on small aquatic creatures. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles measure 2 - 2.5 feet long and live for about 50 years. These sea turtles maintain a very peculiar life cycle. They swim long distances to arrive at beaches around the world, usually in February and March, to lay their eggs. The mating usually occurs in the deep sea and lasts for 4 - 5 hours, during which they very rarely come up to the surface for a brief 20-30 seconds.

Among the few beaches of India where the Olive Ridley lays eggs are Rushikulya in Orissa and Versova in Mumbai. My investigation area has mainly been Perambudur beach in Tamil Nadu, where I have worked for more than four years to study the entire breeding process of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, from egg laying and incubation to the hatching of the baby turtles.

The eggs are safely buried deep inside the sand and incubate for about 45 days. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings make their way towards the ocean by following the natural light horizon, which is usually over the ocean. The State Government of Orissa has implemented a programme to monitor and protect the hatchlings from predators and human interference.

Despite the watchful eyes of the patrolling staff, hundreds of eggs and hatchlings succumb to various predators every year. Often, they collect the hatchlings in plastic buckets and drop them in the sea to ensure the progeny of this Vulnerable species.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles mating
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A pair of mating Olive Ridley Sea Turtles off the coast of Rushikulya Beach in Odisha. The turtles mate in the deep sea and  briefly come up to the surface for air.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle digging a hole on the beach
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Occasionally, an unfortunate and peculiar event occurs whereby a mother turtle unwittingly digs in the same place where another has already laid her eggs and, in the process, spoils all the previously stored ones.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle laying eggs
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After digging the hole, the mother turtle starts laying eggs, around 110 to 130 of them, before covering it up with sand.
Brahminy Kite stealing an Olive Ridley turtle egg
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Even in the mother's presence, the eggs fall prey to aerial predators such as this Brahminy Kite. Jackals and dogs that roam the beach often dig up the eggs too.
Olive Ridley turtle returning to the sea after laying eggs
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Feeling confident about the security of the eggs, a mother turtle returns to the sea.

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Nets to conserve Olive Ridley turtle babies
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The state government of Odisha has employed plastic nets at the Rushikulya Beach to protect Olive Ridley eggs and hatchlings from predation.
Crow hunting a baby Olive Ridley turtle
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Once the hatchlings commence their treacherous journey towards the ocean, predator birds and even Common Crows easily pick them off.
Red Ghost Crab hunting a baby Olive Ridley turtle
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The hatchlings stand no chance even against the tiny claws of Ghost Crabs that await in ambush all across the sandy beach.
Baby Olive Ridley turtles returning to the sea
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Escaping innumerable death traps, the Olive Ridley hatchlings make it to the ocean, where the actual journey begins for these tiny little flippers.