Around the bay in 51 days: Olive Ridley turtle almost completes 1,000-km Bay of Bengal roundtrip, scientists stunned by route

Time of India

16-05-2025

It sounds like the plot of a marine odyssey—an
Olive Ridley sea turtle
, tagged on the beaches of
Odisha
, has astonished scientists by pulling off what can only be described as a mini circumnavigation of the
Bay of Bengal
. In just 51 days, this resilient navigator covered a staggering 1,000 kilometers through the vast expanse of sea, touching the maritime boundaries of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, before finally making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
What began as a routine tagging exercise by the Odisha Forest Department has transformed into a story of scientific wonder and marine mystery. The Wildlife Institute of India's satellite map lit up recently with the surprise path of one such turtle, proving yet again that these seemingly unassuming creatures hold more secrets than we think.
— OrissaPOSTLive (@OrissaPOSTLive)
The Turtle Trail: From Odisha to Andhra
The turtle in question had been tagged on the famed
Gahirmatha beach
, nestled in Odisha's Kendrapara district, a sanctuary of global importance for Olive Ridleys. From this nesting paradise, the turtle ventured southward—its journey tracing a semi-circular arc that flirted with the shores of Sri Lanka, brushed past Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and ended on the Andhra coast. It wasn't just the distance that amazed scientists, but the precision and pace with which this marine pilgrim moved, averaging nearly 20 kilometers a day through choppy currents and unpredictable weather.
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'We could hardly believe it at first,' Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Prem Shankar Jha told PTI. 'This kind of extensive travel within such a short span is rare. It redefines our understanding of their migratory behavior.'
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Not the First, But Still Unbelievable
While this turtle's journey is remarkable, it isn't entirely without precedent. A few years ago, another Olive Ridley, tagged in Odisha, shocked researchers by clocking an even longer distance—3,500 kilometers—before arriving on the sands of Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district to nest.
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These aquatic marvels seem to possess a natural GPS that continues to baffle marine scientists. And yet, despite such feats, the Olive Ridley's migratory mysteries remain largely uncharted. Every tagged turtle uncovers new patterns, fueling more questions than answers.
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A few years ago, another Olive Ridley, tagged in Odisha, shocked researchers by clocking an even longer distance—3,500 kilometers—before arriving on the sands of Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district to nest.
The Great Homecoming: An Annual Marine Spectacle
Odisha's coastline, especially Gahirmatha, isn't just another beach—it's a global beacon for marine biologists and conservationists. Each year, millions of Olive Ridleys return here as if drawn by ancestral memory. Gahirmatha, along with the river mouths of Rushikulya in Ganjam and Devi in Puri, host one of nature's most moving spectacles: the arribada, or mass nesting.
Earlier this year, Rushikulya rookery saw a record-breaking 7 lakh Olive Ridleys laying eggs between February 16 and 25, bouncing back spectacularly after a nesting dry spell in 2023. Such massive gatherings are not just awe-inspiring; they also underline the urgency to protect these endangered creatures.
Tagging the Mystery
The turtle that completed the 51-day journey is among thousands that are part of India's tagging efforts. Since the first such exercise began in 1999, turtles from Odisha have turned up in distant corners of the Bay of Bengal. Two of those early wanderers were even spotted off the Sri Lankan coast, offering tantalizing evidence of their far-reaching migrations.
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After a temporary pause, tagging resumed in 2021 under the Zoological Survey of India, and since then over 12,000 turtles have been fitted with satellite trackers at Gahirmatha and Rushikulya. But experts say that number is far too small. For a comprehensive understanding of their breeding biology, foraging grounds, and migratory routes, at least one lakh turtles would need to be tagged.
Turtles of Tenacity
Olive Ridleys may be the smallest of all sea turtles, but they are by no means the least extraordinary. Their name comes from the olive hue of their heart-shaped shells, and they prefer the warm tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Measuring about two feet and weighing up to 50 kilograms, these turtles are believed to be long-lived, reaching maturity around the age of 14.
Their feeding habits are just as varied as their travels—they snack on crabs, jellyfish, starfish, shrimp, and occasionally even algae. They're carnivores with a curious palate, adapting their diets based on what the ocean offers. And, intriguingly, there are documented instances of cannibalism under captive conditions.
A Vulnerable Wonder in Peril
Despite their resilience, Olive Ridleys face immense threats. Coastal development, fishing nets, and pollution have led to mass mortality events in recent years. They are protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act and are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their inclusion in global treaties like CITES underscores their ecological importance and the need for multinational conservation efforts.
But it's their unique homing instinct—their biological pull to return to the very beach where they were born—that makes them especially vulnerable. The same navigation skill that allowed one turtle to pull off a near Bay of Bengal roundtrip is also what draws them into danger, time and again.