Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys

Last Updated09/03/2023

Setting a new record, close to 6.37 lakh Olive Ridley Turtles have arrived for mass nesting on the Rushikulya coast in 2023.

Location: The Ganjam district of Odisha.
Rushikulya beach is renowned for being home to the Olive Ridley Turtle.
The Rushikulya River is one of the major rivers in the state of Odisha.
February 23 to March 2 is treated as a mass nesting period and lakhs of Olive Ridleys Turtles arrive at the beach for laying eggs.
Such mass nesting events are called arribadas.
Along with Rushikulya beach, Turtles also arrive at Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, which is known as the world’s largest known rookery.