Olive Ridley Turtle
This species of sea turtle used to be slaughtered in lakhs for their meat and leather, so Olive Ridleys are still recovering from their exploitation. They occur through the Antilles, around the north coast of South America, in West Africa, the Indian Ocean, Australia and southeast Asia. The IUCN lists them as ‘vulnerable’ leading to many conservation projects.
In some places this is done by relocating eggs laid on beaches to hatcheries where they are supposed to have a much better chance to survive. In the beaches Olive Ridley nests are at risk from predators like raccoons, dogs, pigs, crabs and coyote. Once hatched, the baby turtles are released into the sea once again.
Courtesy: The Hindu
