The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and The Odisha government recently started flipper-tagging Olive Ridley turtles at the state’s Rushikulya (seen here) and Gahirmatha rookeries. The two beaches are known for attracting thousands of turtles every year for laying eggs. Photo: Zoological Survey of IndiaAn Olive Ridley turtle being measured. Scientists and research scholars from ZSI, along with the Wildlife wing of the Odisha forest department, plan to tag 30,000 turtles. The programme has been delayed by more than a year as turtles didn’t turn up en masse last year. Photo: Zoological Survey of IndiaAn Olive Ridley turtle being tagged on its flapper. Already, 8,450 turtles have been tagged, Anil Mohapatra from ZSI told DTE. He was hopeful that 10,000 turtles can be tagged every year for three years. The exercise should help scientists in conservation planning. Photo Zoological Survey of IndiaA typical tag attached to the flipper of an Olive Ridley turtle. ZSI plans to continue the programme as part of long-term monitoring of the species (at least for next 10 years) through annual data collections, tagging and tag recaptures. Photo: Zoological Survey of IndiaAn Olive Ridley Turtle returning to the sea. Only about half the tags are expected to remain functional once the turtles leave the nesting spots. This makes it necessary to tag a larger number. Photo: Action for Protection of Wild Animals