Rescued from fishing nets off the Maharashtra coast and later satellite-tagged, an Olive Ridley sea turtle has surprised scientists by swimming across the Arabian Sea to near Masirah Island off Oman, revealing an unexpected migration route. Tracked by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Mangrove Foundation and the Dahanu Forest Division, the turtle — named Dhaval Laxmi — defied earlier patterns that showed southward coastal movement. Scientists say the east-west journey suggests Maharashtra’s turtles may belong to wider Arabian Sea populations.

Why this journey matters

First satellite-tracked Olive Ridley from Maharashtra to move east-west across the Arabian Sea
Challenges: Earlier data showing southward coastal migration
. Indicates turtles along Maharashtra may belong to wider Arabian Sea populations