Olive ridley turtles released back into the sea at Visakhapatnam, Andhrapradesh - A note

Abstract

Five species of marine turtles viz., olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), leather back turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas) are known to inhabit the Indian coastal waters. The most common species in Indian waters is olive ridley, which is also believed to be the most abundant marine turtle in the world. The coastline of Andhra Pradesh is one of the sporadic nesting habitats of olive ridley turtles which is popularly known as “Samudram Tabelu” in Telugu. The species is known to nest on the northern Andhra Pradesh coast which encompasses three districts namely Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. This coast may also serve as an intermediate developmental habitat for sub-adult ridley turtles and for juvenile and sub-adult green turtles Chelonia mydas