Thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtle eggs were destroyed as Cyclone Asani ravaged a beach in Ganjam, Odisha.

Vast quantities of broken eggshells are seen scattered across the sand after high tides swept the eggs out of their nests.

Wildlife officials estimated that between 15 to 20 percent of the eggs laid on the beach were destroyed in a major setback to a species of turtle that is already listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Subhendu Mallik, a local wildlife warden, said: "Cyclones during the egg incubation period are very destructive. They negatively affect the sea turtle population by disturbing their foraging and nesting habitats.”

In a severe setback for conservation efforts, high tides unleashed by cyclone Asani have destroyed thousands of eggs of Olive Ridley turtles at several mass nesting sites in eastern India.

High tides cut into the beaches sweeping away thousands of eggs into the sea. The eggs that remained on the nests built on beaches were destroyed by exposure to salt water.


Indian forest officials documented widespread devastation of olive ridley eggs at Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district on May 11. They said a record number of 5.50 lakh turtles had laid eggs on a 5-km-long stretch of which around 15-20% of the eggs may have been destroyed.

Honorary wildlife life warden Subhendu Mallik said: “Cyclones during the egg incubation period are very destructive. They negatively affect the sea turtle population by disturbing their foraging and nesting habitats.”

The population of olive ridleys, the second smallest of sea turtles, is rapidly declining. They are listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.