Olive ridley nesting drops 60% along Mangaluru coast this season

Mangaluru: Despite three years of conservation efforts, nesting by endangered olive ridley sea turtles along the Mangaluru coast has dropped sharply by 60% this season, according to forest department.In 2024-25, nesting sites were identified at 24 locations, and 1,842 hatchlings were successfully released into the sea. In contrast, in 2025-26 so far, only seven nests have been recorded, with 820 eggs protected and 550 hatchlings released under the supervision of forest department.Mangaluru forest division, along with Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Cell, Mangaluru division, has been actively prioritising turtle conservation along the coast.During the nesting season, olive ridley turtles come ashore to lay eggs, and the nesting sites are identified and protected. Since 2023-24, conservation efforts have focused on Sasihithlu, Bengre and Idya beaches, where turtle activity has been higher.RFO Rajesh Baligar said that in 2023-24, 927 hatchlings were released into the sea. He said the first sighting in Mangaluru in recent years was recorded on Dec 31, 2023, at Sasihithlu beach. That year, 21 nesting sites were identified, yielding 1,958 eggs, of which 927 hatchlings emerged and were safely released.Speaking at the KDP meeting of the Mangaluru taluk, chaired by Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty Tuesday, Balegar said nesting sites are secured with nets to protect eggs from predators, monitored using CCTV cameras, and guarded by watchers until the hatchlings safely reach the sea.