Every year since 1987 a group of volunteers have walked the beaches here in Chennai between December and April searching the beaches at night for turtle nests. When the nests are found they measure the nest and collect the eggs. The eggs are then taken to a fenced in, monitored, area where the nest is rebuilt (as close to the size of the original nest as possible) the eggs are placed in the nest and within about 45 days the eggs hatch. When the turtles hatch they are released at night into the ocean. This is all done in an effort to conserve and raise awareness of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle. The adult turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs but once the eggs are laid the turtles return to the ocean never again to return to the nest. Along the beach these little unborn turtles have many predators but thanks to the volunteers they are given a chance to survive.
This past Friday night I spent a few hours at sundown on the beach holding some baby turtles and watching them be released into the ocean. It was so special, they were sooo teeny, I couldn't believe it! Mimi had arranged for her 1st grade class to meet there in the evening since they have been studying animals and the differences between mammals and non mammals. The kids were so amazed by the turtles and so excited to be able to hold them. At the time of the release the children lined up on the beach to watch the baby turtles find their way to the ocean. As the first turtle made it to the water line the children all cheered and clapped, it was precious!
*For more information check out this website... http://sstcn.org/
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| There were 45 baby turtles in there! |
