Obervations on the mass nesting and immediate postmass nesting influxes of the olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea at Gahirmatha, Orissa-1984 season

Abstract

Observations made during the mass nesting of the olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea during January-February, 1984 at Gahirmatha rookery, Orissa is reported here along with some details on the nature of immediate post-mass nesting influxes. Strangely a large number of abnormal animals were seen to nest during the lean phase of nesting. The nature of the abnormalities, along with likely routes of the breeding migration, non-human predation of nests and environmental problems at Gahirmatha are discussed here.