At Odisha's Gahirmatha beach, 1.48 crore Olive Ridley Turtles were born

Officials said on Saturday that a total of 1.48 crore baby Olive Ridley turtles have emerged from their eggshells at the Gahirmatha beach in Odisha's Kendrapara district.

The uninhabited Gahirmatha island is home to a rare natural occurrence: the birth of baby turtles without their mothers.

"Until Thursday, a total of 1.48 crore baby turtles have broken free from their eggshells to interact in the Gahirmatha seawaters, witnessing the grand culmination of the annual sojourn of Olive Ridley sea turtles to this unmanned Gahirmatha Island," said Bikash Ranjan Dash, Divisional Forest Officer of Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Wildlife).

The turtles started hatching on 25th April, and the annual event has now come to a close, he said.

"The babies have emerged from 2.98 lakh nests dug by female turtles to lay eggs at the Nasi-ii Island, close to the defence installation at the Wheelers" Island," Mr Dash said, adding that round-the-clock vigil is being maintained to ensure the newborns" protection.

The baby turtles stay on the beach for an hour or so after emerging from their nests before beginning their journey into the sea, he said. Gahirmatha Beach is widely recognised as the world's largest breeding ground for these endangered species, with 3.49 lakh female turtles flocking to the beach this year for mass nesting, a phenomenon known as "arribada."

Hatchlings were on the higher side, according to the official, since the nests were not damaged and remained largely intact.

About 100 to 120 eggs are laid by each female. He claims that hatchlings emerge from the eggshells after 45-50 days of incubation.