India: Olive Ridley turtles arrive in large numbers

Times of India 11 Apr 11;

CHENNAI: Wildife enthusisats and others in the field are excited. Volunteers from the Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) have reported finding around 101 nests of Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) on the 8 km stretch from Neelankarai to Urur Kuppam in South Chennai.

Another 82 were located along the 7-km stretch from Srinivasapuram to Napiers' Bridge which was never considered a turtle-nesting site. "This is something that we never expected. Last year, we found only 30. So the pattern is definitely encouraging," says SSTCN coordinator Akila.

V Arun of SSTCN is ecstatic. "After a gap of ten years, we have hit the three number figure. In 2000, we found 105 nests on the Neelankarai-Urur Kuppam stretch where 220 had been found in 1990!" he says.

Olive Ridleys, which are perhaps the most important guests to the city, begin arriving along the coast every year from January and are eagerly awaited by wildlife enthusiasts. This year, they appear to have taken an extra liking to the city despite its immense hostility on other fronts, experts said.

Olive Ridleys have become locally extinct in other coastal places in the state like Thoothukudi and Tharamgabadi due to various facets of development', say conservationists.

In Chennai, with the threat of the proposed elevated expressway along the coast looming large, wildlife enthusiasts' hopes of saving the species, listed in the Schedule 1 endangered list, have hit a dip. However, 2011 has been encouraging. "Due to the sustained efforts of the last 40 years, turtles still come to Chennai. This year has given that extra reason for us to continue our struggle to save our coasts and our beloved turtles." says SSTCN volunteer Adhith Swaminathan.

Turtles share the same conservation status as the tiger. "People have failed to give attention to an endangered species that visit their city," says Naveen, a wildlife photographer.

Turtles, which evolved about 110 million years ago, are said to be the verge of going extinct in the next few years.