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\nOlive Ridley turtles crawl back to sea after laying eggs on Rushikulya beach in Odisha. (Photo by Reuters)<\/p>\n
Each year, Olive Ridley sea turtles travel thousands of kilometres across the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, only to arrive precisely at the same beaches along India\u2019s coastline where they once hatched.<\/p>\n
From Odisha\u2019s mass nesting sites to scattered shores in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, their annual arrival is powered by one of the most remarkable navigational systems in the natural world, a built-in biological GPS.<\/p>\n
A MAGNETIC MAP<\/p>\n
At the heart of Olive Ridley\u2019s journey is its ability to sense the Earth\u2019s magnetic field.<\/p>\n
Scientists have found that sea turtles can detect subtle differences in the planet\u2019s magnetism and use these signals like coordinates on a map.<\/p>\n
\nOlive Ridley turtles crawl back to sea after laying eggs on Rushikulya beach in Odisha. (Photo by Reuters)<\/p>\n
Each stretch of coastline has a unique magnetic \u201csignature,\u201d shaped by the Earth\u2019s core and crust.<\/p>\n
When Olive Ridley hatchlings emerge from their nests and make their first dash to the sea, they imprint this magnetic information. Years later, as fully grown adults, they rely on this internal map to navigate back to the same region, even after spending long periods in distant feeding grounds.<\/p>\n
This form of navigation allows turtles to orient themselves in the open ocean, where there are no visual landmarks.<\/p>\n
MORE NUANCES<\/p>\n
Magnetic sensing forms the backbone of turtle navigation, but it works in tandem with other natural cues.<\/p>\n
As Olive Ridleys approach India\u2019s coastline, they fine-tune their course using ocean currents, wave direction, and temperature.
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\nA rescued endangered olive ridley turtles swims in its new pool. (Photo by Reuters)\n<\/p>\n
These cues help them adjust their route and timing, especially during the final phase of migration.<\/p>\n
Closer to shore, turtles respond to coastal features, beach slope, and underwater conditions, ensuring they choose nesting spots that are less likely to flood or erode. This combination of long-range magnetic navigation and short-range environmental sensing makes their journeys both precise and adaptable.<\/p>\n
India is one of the few countries in the world <\/a>where Olive Ridley turtles display their most dramatic behaviour: arribada, or mass nesting.<\/p>\n Odisha\u2019s coastline<\/a>, in particular, provides the right magnetic, geographic and environmental conditions that turtles have been returning to for generations. Even turtles that nest singly in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh are guided by the same magnetic memory system. RISKS PERSIST<\/p>\n Beyond navigation, Olive Ridleys are built for endurance. They can dive deep and slow their heart rate to conserve oxygen, allowing them to travel efficiently over vast distances.<\/p>\n Their streamlined bodies and strong flippers make them exceptional long-distance swimmers, while their diet helps regulate marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n
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\nOlive Ridley turtle hatchlings walks to the ocean in Mazatlan, Mexico. (Photo by Reuters)\n<\/p>\n
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