'Animals are not dangerous. People are dangerous,' Abbrew says emphatically.

He stated that the survival rate of the turtles has gone up following their efforts.

The turtles taken care of at the sanctuary include green turtles, loggerhead turtles, leatherback turtles, hawk's bill turtles and Olive Ridley turtles.

Explaining the method from the laying of the eggs to the release, Abbrew said that the hatching period varies from 48 days for the green turtles to about 60 days for the leatherback turtles.

'Once the eggs hatch, the day-old turtles are put in a water cubicle. On the third day, we release them.'

Abbrew said that their research has revealed global warming is having an impact on the green turtles. 'We have noticed that the scales of the green turtles are changing.'

The centre does more than release hatchlings; it also takes care of wounded turtles. 'Turtles get injured by boats. Right now, we have a turtle whose both front flippers were cut in a boat accident. We are taking care of it. Also, we have a blind loggerhead turtle.'

They apply ayurvedic medicines to heal the injuries.

He rues that there is no government help for running the centre. 'We raise money through tickets to see the turtles. We have also received support from an international company.'

As the next big wave hit the Kosgoda coast, it wiped off the tiny flipper prints left on the sand by the turtle hatchlings and Abbrew began preparing for another day of saving the turtles.

(Rahul Dass can be contacted at rahul.d@ians.in)