Coming Soon: Turtle Walker

In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an unparalleled journey, navigating India's expansive coastlines to survey its remote and uninhabited islands and beaches. This intrepid explorer, affectionately known as "Mr. Sea Turtle," was on a mission to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Indian Ocean’s elusive sea turtles. Through his solitary expeditions, Satish discovered the nesting sites of these enigmatic creatures, each discovery adding a new chapter to his extraordinary life.

It was on one such survey of the Andaman islands in 1988 that he found the ancient leatherback turtles – the first proof of their existence in India. Yet, these discoveries did not come easy. On his very first survey in 1977, Satish got stranded on an uninhabited island for several months, and was ultimately rescued when his bottled letter floated across the sea and reached his wife. His passion and dedication propelled him into a lifelong mission to safeguard the turtles from extinction.

Fate took an unexpected turn when a debilitating nerve condition forced Satish into retirement. A few years later, in 2004, the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami killed tens of thousands of people and wiped out entire beaches where sea turtles had nested. Satish's heart ached for the sea turtles he had grown to cherish. It was a pivotal moment that prompted him to confront a pressing question: What becomes of the sea turtles when their nesting sites disappear?

Satish, then 73, seizes the opportunity for one last adventure. Faced with treacherous reefs and debris-strewn shores, he embarks on a daring expedition to South Reef, an island favored by Hawksbills.

Landing on South Reef proves to be all but impossible. What was once a smooth sandy beach is now surrounded by exposed coral reefs, uprooted trees and debris all around. Nonetheless, Satish slips on his fins, jumps into the ocean and swims across to the island. A rapid survey reveals nothing - no turtle tracks, no nests. It is not the same island he left. Exhausted and deflated, he returns home.

Enter Adhith Swaminathan, a determined young researcher following in Satish's footsteps. Adhith is part of a team of researchers who are studying the fate of the leatherback sea turtles in the aftermath of the tsunami. Their decade-long research unveils astonishing revelations - the nesting beaches are slowly reforming, and the leatherbacks are returning to nest in the same numbers that they once did.

Through Satish Bhaskar's remarkable journey, we are reminded of the indomitable human spirit and the resilience of the natural world. His story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the unwavering belief that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope.