Seasonal ocean phenomenon near Sri Lanka draws Olive Ridley turtles from Indian coasts
Chennai: A seasonal ocean phenomenon near Sri Lanka is drawing Olive Ridley turtles from India’s coasts, revealing a hidden feeding ground that connects migration routes, nesting beaches, and marine survival across borders.
Researchers tracking tagged turtles found that hundreds travel from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to a specific spot in the Indian Ocean, where nutrient upwelling fuels abundant prey. The area, active during pre-monsoon months, appears to serve as a critical mid-migration feeding stop.
The discovery links major mass-nesting sites in India, like Rushikulya and Gahirmatha, to offshore waters shared by multiple countries. Scientists say the site may explain how turtles build energy reserves before and after arduous nesting seasons.
“This feeding ground is a missing piece in the Olive Ridley migration puzzle,” said a marine biologist involved in the study. “Protecting it means protecting nesting populations across the Bay of Bengal.”
Conservationists are now calling for transboundary cooperation to monitor fishing activity and shipping routes in the zone. With Olive Ridleys listed as vulnerable, experts say safeguarding these oceanic hotspots is key to the species’ long-term survival.
