States » EastPosted at: Oct 3 2026 5:04PM


WII study sheds new light on Olive Ridley movements, migration and nesting along Odisha coast

Bhubaneswar, Oct 3 (UNI) A three-year study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has thrown new light on the movement patterns, habitat use, migration routes and nesting behaviour of Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coast, providing fresh scientific inputs for their long-term conservation.
The first-year findings of the research initiative, led by the Dehradun-based WII in collaboration with the Odisha Wildlife Organisation, Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL) and the Adani Foundation, were released here on Saturday.
The study combines satellite telemetry, boat-based surveys and shoreline analysis to understand how Olive Ridley turtles use Odisha’s coastal waters and nesting habitats.
Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, who released the first-year report, said the findings would provide a scientific foundation for evidence-based conservation planning.
Satellite telemetry tracked 10 Olive Ridley turtles for a combined period of 1,748 days, revealing distinct movement patterns between males and females. One female turtle travelled 6,719 km over 271 days and reached waters east of Sri Lanka, highlighting the extensive migratory range of the species.
Boat-based surveys recorded 1,390 individual turtles and 67 mating pairs, with the majority of sightings reported within two kilometres of the coastline.
Dr Priti G Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, said the Olive Ridley was an important part of Odisha’s natural heritage and its protection required a deeper understanding of the species’ movements and life cycle.
“We are pleased to support WII’s scientific work and contribute to conservation,” she said.
The research aims to strengthen understanding of Olive Ridley movements, habitat preferences and nesting along the Odisha coast, which hosts some of the world’s most important nesting grounds of the species.
Gahirmatha in Kendrapada district and Rushikulya in Ganjam district are among Odisha’s prominent Olive Ridley nesting sites, witnessing mass nesting of the endangered marine turtles.
The Olive Ridley is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which provides the species with the highest level of legal protection in India.
The initial fieldwork under the study focused on the Gahirmatha rookery, while satellite tagging was undertaken at both Gahirmatha and Rushikulya.
Dr R. Suresh Kumar, Senior Scientist, Department of Endangered Species Management, WII, said the study marked the renewal of satellite tracking of Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha after nearly 15 years.
“The partnership with the Odisha Forest Department, Dhamra Port and Adani Foundation has enabled us to generate new insights into the movement patterns and habitat use of these turtles,” he said.
The findings would help build a stronger scientific database for developing effective management strategies and long-term conservation measures, Kumar said.
“We will continue tracking more turtles to build a stronger dataset that can support management strategies and long-term conservation,” he added.
UNI DP
Tags: #WII study sheds new light on Olive Ridley movements# migration and nesting along Odisha coast
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