Chennai wildlife officials released 46 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea from the forest department’s hatchery at Besant Nagar, marking the first release of the ongoing nesting season.
The hatchlings emerged from a clutch of 94 eggs. Officials said the remaining hatchlings were expected to emerge within a day, with more releases likely in the coming days.
State forest secretary Supriya Sahu called the development encouraging, pointing to sustained efforts to protect the vulnerable species along Chennai’s coastline. This season, authorities have identified 209 nests across city beaches, collecting and relocating 24,531 eggs to hatcheries to protect them from predators, high tides and human disturbance.
Neighbouring Tiruvallur district has also reported improved numbers, with Pulicat beaches recording 93 nests and 10,664 eggs, according to Chennai wildlife warden Manish Meena. Officials noted that wild nests along Pulicat’s shore were rare a few years ago.
Conservationists linked the gains to reduced mortality of nesting turtles, citing fewer incidents of turtles getting caught in trawlers or ghost nets. They also pointed to intensified patrolling and enforcement of fishing restrictions within the prohibited five-nautical-mile zone, urging joint forest and fisheries patrols to continue through the season. Nightly patrols from November to March help relocate eggs to protected hatcheries where survival rates exceed 90%.
