A female Olive Ridley turtle named Dhavallakshmi completed a satellite-tracked migration of approximately 4,000 km [1] from India to Oman.
The journey provides scientists with critical data on the migration routes and breeding patterns of Olive Ridley turtles in the Indian Ocean. By tracking the movement of the first satellite-tagged female of this species in India, researchers can better understand marine biodiversity and the environmental factors that influence these long-distance travels.
Dhavallakshmi began her journey at Dahanu on the Maharashtra coast [1]. From there, the turtle traveled across the ocean to reach Oman before moving back toward the western shoreline of Maharashtra [1]. The tracking process allowed researchers to map the specific paths taken by the animal during its transit.
Scientists utilized the satellite tag to monitor the turtle's location in real time. This technology is essential for studying the spatial ecology of marine reptiles, as it reveals how they navigate vast distances and which regions they frequent for feeding or nesting.
The reporting of this migration occurred in 2024 [1]. The data collected from Dhavallakshmi's movements contributes to a broader effort to protect endangered sea turtle populations by identifying key corridors of travel that may require conservation efforts.
Because Olive Ridley turtles are known for their mass nesting events, understanding the individual movement of a tagged female helps scientists correlate nesting sites with foraging grounds. This specific journey from the Maharashtra coast to the Arabian Peninsula highlights the expansive range of the species.
“Dhavallakshmi completed a satellite-tracked migration of approximately 4,000 km.”
The tracking of Dhavallakshmi marks a significant milestone in Indian marine biology by providing empirical evidence of the distance and direction Olive Ridley turtles travel. This data allows conservationists to identify international corridors of movement, which is necessary for creating transboundary marine protected areas to ensure the survival of the species.
