Mangaluru
For the first time in Dakshina Kannada district, eggs of Olive Ridley cuttlefish, which have a unique lifestyle, have been found on the beach. The forest department staff found that these turtles had come and laid their eggs on three sides of the beach around Suratkal.
Action has also been taken to preserve eggs of olive ridley turtles. Olive Ridley turtles have been recorded to come and lay their eggs in Kundapur of Udupi district. Due to the high human activity on the beaches in Mangalore, it was never seen anywhere before.
However, this time, the forest department took precautions and formed three surveillance teams on the beach. This team used to patrol the beach at night. Olive Ridley turtles have been known to lay eggs in three locations due to human activity control. Two of them have been moved to a safer place due to high tides.
As there is a possibility of the eggs getting infected with fungus and spoiling if the tides hit them, they are separated and kept in the same pit by bringing sand from the same place. On top of it mesh  safety is provided so that dogs and humans don’t go and spoil it. It takes about 45 days for the egg to hatch.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa said, awareness has been created among the coastal people about the conservation of squid eggs. Also there are locals in the spying team. A reward has also been announced if such squid eggs are found and reported. Earlier our team did not have proper information about this. Now they have enthusiasm too.
