Season's first Olive Ridley hatchlings crawl to the sea

PANAJI: The first hatchlings of Olive Ridley turtles from the first nest of the season at a secluded place on Mandrem beach crawled slowly to the sea on Monday night.

Though the nest had 133 eggs, only 13 babies emerged and some more were expected to leave their nest on Tuesday late night.

Goa governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo and his wife witnessed the hatching and watched them keenly on their maiden journey to the sea.

Two more nests have been laid, including one at Morjim and another in South Goa. But turtle lovers expect more flippered visitors to arrive during the next few weeks.

"Sometimes, all babies do not hatch on the same night, as in this case, 13 babies emerged from the nest," a turtle lover said.