Turtle Walk - to save Olive Ridley

Formed by the students of the Madras Christian College, the (Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network) SSTCN has been organizing turtle walks for the past 14 years. Every Friday and Saturday, the volunteers gather at 10.30 p.m. near Neelankarai beach. They cover 7 km along the coast between Elliots Beach and Neelankarai.

 

They follow the nest by following the turtle tracks, collect the eggs and place them in a temporary hatchery in Neelankarai. The volunteers stay at the hatchery every night till the eggs hatch, which is in about 50 days. These hatch lings are then released into the sea.

SAFE TRANS LOCATION: Volunteers of Sea Turtle Protection Force relocating Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs into a hatchery in Nainarkuppam.

A commendable effort considering the Olive Ridley is an endangered species, whose numbers have been dwindling over the years. And it is only efforts like these that can save such species. So let's hope more helping hands will come forward to carry on the good work. And start a campaign too advocating the use of TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices)!

Hatchings making for the sea...

Preparing yourself: It would be better if you are wearing walking/running shoes or anything else you might feel comfortable in. It could also be cold and while you may not feel it while walking, you will after the walk. So take something warm with you. And, after walking in the sand for kilometers on end, believe me, you'll be thirsty. So remember to take a large bottle of drinking water. Most of all, be prepared to enjoy yourself. The walk is open to public on Friday and Saturday.

For more details contact: Sanjeev Gopal, 30 / 1 Flat # 12, Sunder Enclave, Valmiki Street, Tiruvanmiyur Chennai - 600 041. Phone: 2441 1937.