When the first Olive Ridley turtle walked ashore on Agonda Beach, tourists there joined in the celebrations with the locals, and now, when it became clear it was time for the first hatchling to emerge, tourists visiting the beach could not believe their luck.
“As soon as they became aware that it was time for the hatchlings to come out, a few left the beach early wanting to return at midnight to witness the exercise,” said a turtle guard.
“We prefer that there are no people around when the hatchlings wriggle out, but the enthusiasm is so infectious and genuine that is hard to hide the truth from all,” he added.
As the hatchlings from the second pit began to wriggle out at Agonda Beach, tourists from India and abroad watched spellbound as the turtle guards diligently released the hatchlings onto the sand allowing them to have the first kiss of the water.
The hatchlings hurried out and the turtle guard counting them had to hurry, too, and stopped when the 94th hatchling emerged.
“There are 14 that have not hatched,” explained turtle guard, Ankush Karakpur, to the inquisitive tourists around. “In all, 107 eggs were laid in the second pit.”
“It is best when they find their own way to the water. It helps them establish their link with the shore, and thus, facilitates their return when it is their turn to nest,” explained Karakpur who heads the operation at Agonda Beach.
As the turtles merged with the water and began to wiggle into the sea, the exhilaration among the people watching could be felt. After floating in the water for a few seconds – as if to get the feel of their territory – they wriggled away till they were out of sight.
“Mama, he's gone,” whispered a child to her mother. The whisper reflected the care that the people, who had come to witness the exercise, have for the turtle and the turtle guards toiling through the night to help the vulnerable species multiply.
Since December, 85 turtles have walked ashore on Agonda beach and have laid 8,543 eggs. Some of the nestings have been relocated from nearby beaches like Palolem, Cabo de Rama and Cola Beach.
“It normally takes around 50 to 55 days for the eggs to mature and the hatchlings to emerge. Since we have all the details, it is not difficult to ascertain when the hatchlings will emerge,” admits Karakpur, whose love for the turtles seems spiritual.
“There are times when all the eggs do not hatch at the same time. At such times, we wait and monitor those nests closely,” assured Karakpur disclosing that, on Wednesday, 50 hatchlings emerged from the first nest, where 65 eggs were laid.
“The work done by these guards is amazing. I have been coming to this beach for years and this is for the first time I have seen such a big number. I think the credit must go to this man, Ankush, and his team for whom this is not a job, but something divine,” said a foreigner, Dora.
“Our work now,” says Ankush, “is to keep an eye on when the hatchlings will emerge from the nests and look for turtles still coming to nest. The nesting season is not over. We still have months to go.”
As all the 94 hatchlings were released, the baby turtles left behind a feeling of camaraderie that only those who were present with the turtle guards can explain.