Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project

Kosgoda Turtle conservation project

The population of sea turtles today is diminishing gradually due to various reasons, thus sea turtles have been named as an endangered species. Some of the major reasons for the drastic decline in turtles worldwide are, Getting entangled in fishing gears, the eggs that are exposed on the beaches are destroyed by being eaten by animals, poached for human consumption and being washed away before they could hatch. This makes it difficult for turtle eggs to hatch under natural conditions. Considering this, Many organizations and individuals have come forward to conserve the turtle species by establishing Turtle conservation centers and projects. Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka has gained popularity among tourists and locals alike and around 18 turtle hatcheries have been established along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. One of the major reason for the popularity of turtle conservation in Sri Lanka is the fact that 5 out of 7 turtle species can be found in the island.

Turtle Hatcheries in Kosgoda

Kosgoda is a southwestern coastal village of Sri Lanka which is the most popular destination for turtle conservation in the island. This is also home to four out of five turtle species found in Sri Lanka. The first turtle hatchery in Sri Lanka was established here in 1981 and this has been attracting Tourists, volunteers, and wildlife conservationists. 

The Turtle species found in Sri Lanka are

The experience at the  turtle conservation center

The daily operation of the hatchery involves collecting turtle eggs from the beach, patrolling at night looking for mother turtles that come out to lay eggs, Protecting the mother turtle during the nesting & getting it safely back to the ocean when it is done. Looking after the eggs until its hatched and releasing them to their natural habitat when they hatch. 

You can help them do the following things during your Visit/stay

• Cleaning the tanks, premises
• Making pits for burying eggs 
• Burry the eggs
• Feeding to turtles
• Washing turtles (giving them a wash) 
• Lifting turtles to tanks to tank 
• Releasing turtles 
• Picking sea plants
• keeping the beach clean, planting shelter plants, etc
• Night patrolling on the beach

If you decide to pay a short visit, they will take you on a tour around the hatchery and show you how the process is done and you can release some turtles into the sea. You can also volunteer at the Conservation center and do all of the above-mentioned tasks and gain an in-depth knowledge of how turtle conservation is done and how they are trying to make a difference.