In a heartening event for Goa's coastal ecology, the pristine sands of Candolim beach witnessed the arrival of a rare visitor for the second time in less than a week. An olive ridley sea turtle came ashore on Tuesday night and laid a clutch of 103 eggs, bringing the total recoveries from the beach to an impressive 202 eggs within a short span.
Second Nesting Event Spotted by Alert Locals
The remarkable incident unfolded around 11 pm on Tuesday when vigilant workers at a beach shack noticed the turtle's movements. They immediately alerted the forest department officials, who had previously marked the sensitive nesting area with bamboo poles after the first event last Friday. After completing the nesting process, the mother turtle safely returned to the Arabian Sea.
Swift Action Ensures Egg Safety
Forest department staff conducted a visit to the site a few hours later. Following protocol, they carefully recovered all 103 eggs from the nest. To guarantee their protection from predators, tidal waves, and human disturbance, the eggs have been translocated to a secure facility. They are now housed at the dedicated turtle hatchery in Morjim, where they will incubate under monitored conditions until hatching.
Community and Conservation Join Hands
This back-to-back nesting activity highlights the successful collaboration between the local community and wildlife authorities. The prompt reporting by shack workers underscores growing awareness. The forest department's quick response in marking the zone and relocating the eggs is a critical step in ensuring safe and protected hatching for the endangered species. These events on Candolim beach offer a glimmer of hope for the conservation of olive ridley turtles along India's western coastline.
