CANACONA : For the first time since the inception of Goa’s turtle conservation programme in 1999 at Galgibaga, nine Olive Ridley turtles arrived on a single day on Wednesday and laid over 1,000 eggs across three beaches. This was a record for the two hatcheries at Canacona.
In the three turtle nests at Galgibaga, 347 eggs were laid. Agonda’s five turtle nests recorded 581 eggs. The ninth turtle appeared on the Patnem-Colomb beach and laid 116 eggs, which were relocated later to Agonda. The range
forest officer of the south marine range, Rajesh Naik, was upbeat to note that the total nest number has touched 80, as against last year’s 89. “Two months rema in in this nesting season. The Galgibaga hatchery now has 20 turtle nests with 1,962 eggs,” Naik said.
The Agonda hatchery has 60 nests with 6,593 eggs. So, the overall figure so far is 8,555 eggs.”
Naik said that on Feb 16, six turtles appeared on a single beach at Agonda, laying 602 eggs.
“I am extremely happy with the invigilating team of one forest guard and four rescuers on each beach deployed on round-the-clock duty,” Naik said. “The rescuers are extra alert to prevent poaching of eggs. Besides, they also ensure that stray animals do not destroy the eggs.”
Meanwhile, the first batch of hatchlings of this season were released into the sea from the Agonda hatchery at Canacona, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
“We are receiving cooperation from villagers and to urists. The eggs at the hatcheries remain in incubation for 48-55 days after which they start hatching gradually,” Naik said.
Forest guards keep vigil at the nesting sites and fence the nests with nets.
The hatchlings are taken in a bucket by forest department officials just before midnight to the surf zone and released.
The timing is chosen to keep the hatchling safe from dogs. At that hour, beaches have no visitors either.
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