Turtle Heroes of Kerala: The Fishermen Squad Protecting Ocean’s Tiny Wonders
On the shores of Mannalamkunnu beach in Thrissur, Kerala, as the tides roll, two fishermen—Hamsu, 58, and his friend Kamaru walk along the sand, carefully scanning the coastline. But they aren’t fishing. These men have been the silent protectors of Olive Ridley turtles, dedicating their nights to these little turtles for 20 years now. Every breeding season from December to February, they patrol the beach and watch for mother turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs in the soft black sand. The eggs that are delicately placed in conical nests, require 45 to 52 days to hatch, and the fishermen along with other volunteer locals, carefully relocate them to temporary hatcheries set up by the Kerala Forest Department.The initiative, launched in 2007–08 was a difficult journey at first. “People had little awareness about turtle conservation,” an official explained. However, with consistent training, funding, and support from organizations like the WWF, the community eventually embraced the mission. Today, this project has become a collective effort, with multiple groups such as Fighters in Chavakkad, Surya in Kottapuram, and the Mannalamkunnu team working tirelessly. In January alone, Hamsu and his team collected over 2,000 eggs, releasing the first batch of baby turtles just a week agoUnder the Moonlight, Against the Odds: The Challenges Despite their dedication, these conservationists face numerous challenges on the daily basis. Extreme weather conditions, predators like foxes and stray dogs, and even egg theft pose threats to both the turtles and these nature lovers. However, harming turtles or stealing their eggs is a non-bailable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, a law that has helped curb such activities to a great extent.Climate change has also altered turtle nesting patterns as a decade ago, nesting would begin as early as October but the timeline has been shifted this timeline to December due to rising temperatures. These little Olive Ridley turtles are commonly found in Odisha, Chennai, and Mumbai and they also nest in this part of Thrissur, making the conservation efforts in Kerala even more crucial. “We used to collect over 17,000 eggs in a season from Punnayur alone, but hatchability rates have dropped due to climate change,” said Geeveer VJ, Deputy Range Officer. Despite these obstacles, the conservationists remain undeterred, treating each nesting season as both a duty and an adventure of a lifetime.More Than a Mission: A Timeless Bond Beyond Conservation. For these fishermen-turned-guardians, the connection with the turtles runs deep. Their nightly vigil is more than just protection, it is an act of care. Their routine is rigorous yet fulfilling. “Our work begins at 8 pm. We patrol the beach, tracking turtle activity. Around 11 pm, we take a short break, eat, and resume,” Hamsu explained. They move stealthily, using minimal light, as even the slightest disturbance could send a turtle back into the ocean before laying its eggs. But once a turtle begins nesting, it remains undisturbed, sometimes laying as many as 150 eggs in one night.Thanks to their efforts, the conservation program boasts a 90% hatch rate, a remarkable achievement. And though climate change and environmental threats loom, these silent guardians continue their mission, night after night, ensuring that each tiny hatchling gets a chance to wade into the waves and begin its journey into the vast, mysterious sea. The act by these fishermen prove the beauty of co-existence of two species!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(1).jpeg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
