our partner
Olive Ridley Project
We are working with Olive Ridley Project, an non-profit orgnaization on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education and outreach.
If you would like to learn more, adopt a sea turtle, or make a recurring donation to support their work, click one of the buttons below.
Noonu Atoll Nest
In the Noonu Atoll, a green sea turtle nest accomplished a significant feat - every one of the 140 eggs successfully hatched. This full hatch is a rarity and cause for celebration.
Hatching is a process requiring considerable effort. The hatchlings use a temporary 'egg tooth' or 'caruncle' to break out of their shells, a task that can take up to three days. It's a collective endeavor. The movement of one hatchling can stimulate the others to start their journey upwards. They manage their energy by taking breaks between bouts of digging.
To avoid overheating or sunburn, the hatchlings tend to exit the nest when temperatures drop. They often wait just under the nest's surface, using the cover of night as a protective shield during their transition into the outside world.
Seychelles Hawksbill Nest
On the evening of February 9th, 2023, at precisely 7 pm, a nest filled with potential new life successfully hatched. The nest, initially at risk from beach erosion and possible inundation, had been carefully relocated by Olive Ridley Project's diligent sea turtle biologist. This critical intervention could only be performed by trained professionals and with express permission from the appropriate authorities.
Usually, mother sea turtles bury their eggs above the high tide line, an instinctual tactic to protect against the ocean's reach. Yet with changing climate patterns and increased beach erosion, these nests can unfortunately face a higher risk of flooding.
Despite these challenges, this particular nest flourished following its relocation. A remarkable 157 live hatchlings emerged, eager to begin their journey in the world. While predatory crabs had claimed a few eggs, the overall outcome was a resounding success, with the nest yielding an impressive number of resilient sea turtle hatchlings.
What to do if you witness a sea turtle nest hatch?
Observe with respect
- Keep your distance.
- Turn off any lights you are using.
- Crouch down low.
- Be quiet.
- Stay behind or to the side of the hatchlings.
- If the hatchlings head in the wrong direction, try to create natural barriers like piles of sand to encourage them to go the other way towards the ocean.
No handling or picking up of turtles
Sea turtles imprint on the beach where they’re born, picking up cues as they run down the sand. We want to make sure they come back to thes ame beach. We also want to avoid getting any harmful bacteria from human hands on them. In addition, it is worth noting that it is illegal to handle hatchlings in the Maldives and many other places.
No interference or buckets
Sea turtles come out when it’s the right time for them, and we have to trust their process. It’s best to leave them to go into the sea when they hatch-even when they hatch during the day. Because they have only a limited amount of energy when they hatch, they can tire themselves out trying to get out of the bucket if you place them in one.
No bright lights or flash photography
If you absolutely must use lights during a sea turtle hatching (or nesting) event, use red lights rather than white or yellow. Make sure to point the light behind the turtles, so the hatchlings will follow the direction the light is coming from. Lights can easily disorientate hatchlings, so keep the flash off on your camera or phone before you start filming or photographing them.
No crowding or stepping on turtles
Clear a path for the hatchlings to run into the sea, and do not step over it. If they head towards you, step back and give them space! Sometimes a hatchling can end up crawling over someone if they stand too close, which can cause a knee-jerk reaction that could harm the hatchling. Be as calm as possible, and do not move around too much when watching a turtle hatching.
