High tides due to Asani could have damaged maximum olive ridley eggs

Berhampur: The forest department officials of the Berhampur division fear that the high tides due to severe cyclonic storm Asani in Odisha, could have damaged the maximum number of eggs of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle.

Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Amlan Nayak said the eggs buried on the beach might have been exposed by the high tides and destroyed.

“It is difficult to access the damage now, a clear picture will emerge after May 14,” he added.

“Every year 15-20 percent of eggs are destroyed due to beach erosion, which is normal. However, this time it could be more due to high tides caused by Asani,” he further added.

Meanwhile, hatching of sporadic eggs has commenced and in a few days, mass hatching would begin.