1. Over-exploitation: Olive Ridley turtles are widely hunted and exploited for their meat, eggs, and shells. This unsustainable hunting practices have greatly reduced their population size.
2. Habitat Loss and Degradation: Their nesting beaches and marine habitats are vulnerable to various human activities such as coastal development, pollution, beach armoring, and destruction of mangroves. This degradation and loss of suitable nesting sites threaten their reproductive success.
3. Bycatch: Olive Ridley turtles often get accidentally captured in fishing gear, such as trawl nets and longlines. This unintentional catch results in significant mortality and poses severe threats to their populations.
4. Climate Change: Rising sea levels, shifting sandbars, and altered weather patterns due to climate change affect their nesting beaches, making them more susceptible to erosion, salinization, and flooding.
5. Marine Debris: The ingestion of marine debris, such as plastics bags and straws, can cause intestinal blockage and other health issues, leading to reduced fitness and survival rates in Olive Ridley turtles.
6. Disease: Diseases and parasites can also impact Olive Ridley populations, affecting their health, reproductive success, and overall survival.
7. Limited Genetic Diversity: Olive Ridley turtles exhibit a high degree of genetic homogeneity within their population, which makes them more vulnerable to catastrophic events and reduces their ability to adapt to changing environments.
8. Illegal Trade: The illegal trade of Olive Ridley turtles and their products further contributes to their endangerment by fueling the demand for these animals in both local and international markets.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect Olive Ridley turtles and their habitats, including the establishment of marine protected areas, nest site monitoring and protection programs, public awareness campaigns, and regulations to reduce bycatch and limit hunting. However, continued efforts and collaboration among governments, conservation organizations, and communities are essential to ensure the long-term survival of these remarkable marine creatures.