Berhampur: The Centre for Ecological Science, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organization, will conduct a study to determine the sex ratio of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings that emerged from the sandy beach of the Rushikulya River. The state forest department has granted permission for the study.
Mass Nesting and Hatching Details
The mass hatching, which began on Monday at the Rushikulya rookery, concluded on Friday, according to Sunny Khokkar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Berhampur. "A total of 2.05 lakh Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs on the beach during their four-day mass-nesting period from March 14 to 17, and the hatching occurred on schedule," he said.
Sex Ratio Analysis Methodology
To determine the sex ratio, Dakshin Foundation and IISc have collected dead hatchlings during nest excavation. The specimens will be processed and examined under a microscope to identify their sex, sources revealed. Typically, higher sand temperatures result in female hatchlings. However, this year, temperatures at the rookery fluctuated due to rainfall, noted a senior forest official.
Senior forest officials acknowledged that they did not record the temperature at the site during the hatching period. "The sex ratio can only be determined after receiving the study report," said Vishwanath Neelannavar, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Berhampur.
Climate Change Implications
Both organizations, which have monitored the Olive Ridley population at Rushikulya for several years, will submit their findings to the state forest department. The forest department’s 2024-25 report, based on their previous analysis, stated: "Increasing sand temperatures associated with climate change are altering hatchling sex ratios, leading to a higher proportion of females."
Hatchling Mortality and Conservation Efforts
Dibya Shankar Behera, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), reported lower hatchling mortality this season. Local volunteers collected baby turtles that strayed from their path and released them into the sea. "Nearby industries and NAC Ganjam cooperated by dimming streetlights during the mass-hatching period," he added.
This year’s sex ratio analysis holds particular significance because Gahirmatha missed mass nesting, and fewer Olive Ridleys arrived at Rushikulya, explained Rabindranath Sahu, Secretary of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee.
