The Students Sea  Turtle Conservation Network [SSTCN] is a voluntary group, mainly comprising students and young adults who have been working in the beaches of Chennai since 1987, trying to conserve and create awareness about the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle [Lepidochelys Olivacea].

NOTE:  PUBLIC WALKS ARE closed FOR THIS SEASON

Turtle walks for the public are from end January to March

HATCHLING STATUS

NO HATCHLINGS ON 25th THURSDAY

THERE ARE LIKELY TO BE A FEW HATCHLINGS FROM 26th FRIDAY TILL 28th SUNDAY 

Hatchery Location: https://maps.google.com/?q=13.008355,80.274940

*Please check questions 18-21 in the FAQs page for details about hatchling release*

THE LINK FOR THE FAQS PAGE IS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE

NOTE: PLEASE PARK YOUR VEHICLES NEAR THE BEACH AND WALK DOWN TO THE HATCHERY EITHER THROUGH THE URUR KUPPAM ROAD OR BY THE SEASHORE

PEOPLE IN THE FISHING VILLAGE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH THE KUPPAM ROAD TOWARDS THE HATCHERY AND PUTTING YOUNG CHILDREN AT RISK. 

Note: Please also be prepared to not see anything as sometimes hatchlings do not cooperate. They either emerge during the afternoon (we have to release them immediately as otherwise the heat will dehydrate them quickly) or they emerge later after visitors leave. But so far this season the public has not gone back disappointed !

What We Do

Olive Ridley turtles nest on our beaches at night, between January and April every year. During this season we patrol the beaches every night along with Forest Department staff looking for their eggs which we collect and relocate into a Forest Department hatchery. When the turtle hatchlings emerge 45 days later, we release them safely into the sea. On Friday nights and Saturday nights we conduct a walk for interested people. These walks are conducted by SSTCN along with Chennai Wildlife Division staff.

Turtle walks are conducted to create awareness about the plight of an endangered species and the state of the environment. From January to March end, our work mainly comprises of walking on the beach looking for turtle eggs and we sometimes encounter a nesting turtle. It is a beautiful experience to watch them lay eggs on our shores, an age old process which they have been doing for more than a 100 million years!!!

Why We Do What We Do

While we are happy to help the turtle in whichever manner we can, it is indeed sad that we have to help a creature which has survived millions of years on its own. In recent times, our technological advances have increased the threat to these animals, and all seven species of sea turtles are critically endangered. It is therefore important that we interfere and save as many as we can, while they are still around.

Details Of The Walk

We walk seven kilometres from Neelangarai Beach to Besant Nagar beach. We gather at Neelangarai beach at around 11.30 pm. There is a discussion about turtles and other environmental issues and the walk starts after that. The walk may go on till 4am or 5am depending on whether we find any nests, and how many we find.

To get to Neelangarai beach you have to take the turning off ECR next to Shanthi hospital. There is an arch over the road that says Kapaleeswarar Nagar. You will need to leave your vehicles [if any] at the Elliots beach end to return home after the walk.

If you are a student and interested in joining a weekend turtle walk or if you want to witness hatchlings being released in the evenings (during March and April), please read through the Frequently Asked Questions and send an email to sstcnchennai@gmail.com to register.

SSTCN is a serious conservation organisation. Turtle walks are conducted for those genuinely interested in nature and wanting to learn about turtles and other conservation issues. Walks are not for entertainment purposes

: : Highlight of the year : :

Wildlife Service Award 2022

https://www.sanctuarynaturefoundation.org/award/arun-venkataramanan