India, Dec. 15 -- The steady westward movement of satellite-tagged Olive Ridley turtle Dhaval Lakshmi from the Dahanu coast is being seen by scientists as a strong indicator of a successful rewilding, return to its natural habitat, after months of medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Tracking data as of Sunday shows that Lakshmi is around 120 km off the Dahanu coast and continuing to move westward. Since her release into the Arabian Sea late last month, she has travelled nearly 240 km, indicating that she is adapting well to life in the wild.

Senior scientist Suresh Kumar from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) said the turtle's movement pattern reflects healthy behaviour after release. "From the way she is moving now, it is clear t...