CANACONA: With active participation and support from locals as well as foreign tourists, Agonda beach has registered multiple turtle nesting since the last few years.
With a fourth Olive Ridley appearing on Agonda beach in the wee hours of Tuesday, the Canacona wildlife division has so far collected over 600 Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs, from the six nesting pits in the taluka since last one month.
To ensure the safety of the eggs, turtles and their hatchlings, wildlife officials are deputed at Agonda and Galgibaga beaches which are designated as turtle nesting sites in Canacona.
“Till now we have shifted 519 eggs from identical nests to safe enclosures to ensure safety of both eggs and babies once they hatch, while another nest which is close to these enclosures is cordoned and we expect it to have around hundred eggs, taking the total eggs to over 600,” a wildlife official said.
“Since the beginning of the new year, the sea turtles have started laying eggs. The collected eggs are kept in hatcheries which are enclosed with nets at Agonda as well as Galgibaga as wildlife guards are patrolling these beaches 24×7,” a Wildlife Department officer said. The officer is involved in the conservation of sea turtles programme.
“Earlier the Olive Ridley turtles nesting season would start from November but since last few years the female Olive Ridleys start arriving only in end of December or beginning of January,” he said.
“However the peak season is February and March. The hatchlings emerge after 45 to 50 days and they are released into the sea safely,” he added further.
