Olive Ridley turtles make a comeback at Mumbai's Versova beach
Highlights
- Olive Ridley turtles spotted at Versova beach in Mumbai
- Forest officers say Olive Ridley turtles seen in Mumbai after 20 years
- More than 80 hatchlings made their way to the Arabian Sea
Olive Ridley turtles have a new tale to tell at Mumbai's Versova beach. A group of volunteers engaged in a clean-up of the
Versova beach stumbled upon Olive Ridley hatchlings on the wet sand. They called the forest officials and made sure that the turtles walked into the sea without any trouble.
Mumbai's green crusader, Afroz Shah, who initiated the beach clean-up drive in 2015, was present when the group noticed the
Olive Ridley hatchlings. Mr Shah tweeted, it's a historic moment...we got the Olive Rodley turtles back!More than 80 hatchlings made their way to the Arabian Sea late on Thursday.
"We were told by officials that the last such sighting of Olive Ridley turtles on the beach was 20 years ago," Mr Shah told news agency Press Trust of India. He said "constant cleaning of the beach helps marine species."
An excited volunteer, who was present at the Versova beach, said, "I have witnessed something surreal ...a life changing experience... 80 Olive Ridley turtles walking back to the sea."
From environmentalists to politicians, the turtles grabbed the attention of Mumbaikars. Sanjay Nirupam, former Congress Member of Indian Parliament and president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee tweeted a welcome address for the turtles!In July last year, an adult Olive Ridley turtle was rescued from Juhu beach in suburban Mumbai. Animal activists had rushed the turtle to a local vet clinic.
The Olive Ridley sea turtle also known as the Pacific Ridley, is a medium-sized turtle found in warm and tropical waters, mostly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.