Head Over to Orissa, India this Spring to Watch the Spectacular Sight of 'Arribada'

If watching an ‘arribada’, is not on your ‘bucket list of things to do’, then add it. Most of you have never heard of this phenomenon which is quite common in many beaches all around the world. So, what is arribada and why is it so significant?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turles_nesting_escobilla_oxaca_mexico_claudio_giovenzana_2010.jpg

Image: Nesting of Olive Ridleys

The Gahirmatha beach in Orissa and the mouth of the Rushikulya river are the first and second largest Olive Ridley turtle breeding sites in the world. Every year, between mid February and the end of March, thousands of female Olive Ridley turtles arrive at the beaches to lay their eggs. The most interesting fact is the ‘mass arrival’ of these females in a synchronized manner to their nesting sites. This phenomenon is referred to as arribada (Spanish word for ‘mass arrival’). 

During the months of November to December, male and female pairs of Olive Ridleys gather on marine waters near coastal areas to mate. After the mating is over, the females congregate near the shores and at a certain point of time, start moving towards the beach in large numbers. What triggers this phenomenon is still an enigma that is baffling scientists and naturalists around the world. Secretion of pheromones, changes in wind directions, lunar cycles, could be some of the possible reasons resulting in arribada. 

The nesting site of the Olive Ridleys offer a spectacular view to nature lovers where you can see one of the most unique phenomenon in the world unveil itself. With female turtle density on the beach being extremely high, you can see these little marine creatures crawling over each others’ back to get to the beach and digging up each others’ nest to lay their eggs. After laying their eggs, the females retreat to the sea. 50-60 days later, hatchlings emerge and make their chaotic entry into the marine world.

By Sundar (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Image: Olive Ridley hatchlings in Chennai

Nature always has its own reasons for a particular phenomenon. Arribada is probably nature’s own way of ensuring the survival of the Olive Ridleys. With thousands of eggs being laid, it is ensured that at least a few eggs and hatchlings are able to survive the attacks by natural predators of Olive Ridleys and mature to adulthood. Besides natural predators, Olive Ridleys have been pushed to the ‘Vulnerable’ status in the IUCN’s Red List due to the adverse effects of human activities on these sea creatures. 

By Sébastien Stradal for MDC Seamarc Maldives (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Image: Olive Ridley entangled in a fishing net in the Maldives

Marine fish trawlers are responsible for thousands of Olive Ridley deaths per year. Many of these turtles are caught in huge fishing nets as bycatch and die therein. They are also hunted by local fishermen for their meat and Olive Ridley eggs are consumed as a delicacy.

By Shyamal (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Image: Dead Olive Ridley (probably killed by a propeller of a trawler)

The Indian Government and other governments across the world where Olive Ridleys nest, have tried to install regulatory measures to curb the death of these unique animals. Some success has been achieved with the turtle populations on their way to a slow recovery.

If the life of these Olive Ridley sea turtles fascinates you, then make it a point to visit Rushikulya or Gahirmatha in Orissa this spring season and feast your eyes on the rare natural phenomenon of arribada. 

By Shyamal (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons