Forest Department officials released the season of the first batch of 131 Olive Ridley hatchlings at sea near MR Chathiram on Friday.
These eggs were part of the first batch of 135 eggs collected on 11 January. These were kept in the hatchery at MR Chathiram near Danushkodi.
Leaving the hatchling at sea, Ramanathapuram wildlife warden AS Marimuthu said five species of turtles are found on the coast of the district – Olive Ridley Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Sea Turtle.
Due to repeated awareness among local communities, turtles caught in fishing nets along the Palak Bay and Bay of Mannar areas are rescued and released into the sea by forest department officials.
Mr. Marimuthu said that every year, the nesting season of Olive Ridley Turtles takes place in the district from December to April. Through various special schemes of the government, eggs are collected by Forest Department officials, with the help of local residents.
The collected eggs are kept at MR Chathiram and Munthal in the hatchery. He said that eggs usually take 48 to 54 days.
He said that about 13,800 eggs have been collected this season, which is higher than the previous season.
Mandapam Forest Range Officer. Venkatesh was also present.
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