Olive Ridley hatchlings begin seaward journey from rookery at Rushikulya

THOUSANDS of Olive Ridley hatchlings emerged from the eggs and began their sojourn to the sea from Rushikulya rookery on Thursday, marking the end of the year's mass nesting season.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Berhampur

This year, the rookery had recorded the highest mass nesting, with over nine lakh sea turtles laying eggs in two phases. The emergence of the hatchlings is likely to continue for more than a fortnight and to ensure the safety of the baby turtles, forest officials, along with local volunteers from Samudrika Kaincha Surakhya Samiti (SKSS) have mounted protective measures.