For those who are conservative-minded, love the great blue waters, and adore all things nature, volunteering or lending a hand in a Turtle conservation project is a rewarding way to spend time in Sri Lanka. The amazing island is home to five of the seven existing sea turtle species in the world and these fascinating creatures could use all the help they could get. While you explore the country, discover their culture, do your bit and contribute to preserving the marine biodiversity of it.
The Sea Turtle Species in Sri Lanka:
Green Sea Turtle: These are the most common sea turtle species in Sri Lanka. At up to 120cm tall, the green turtle is the second largest of their kind. While young turtles feed on worms, jellyfish, and sponges, the adults turn vegetarian feeding on seagrasses, seaweeds, and algae. Due to their diet, green sea turtles can be found near the coast. When females breed, they come ashore at night to lay up to 200 eggs. Since the adults are very large and well-armored, their only predators are large sharks and humans. The places with the highest abundance of this species are Kosgoda and Rekawa Beach, and the pea season for hatching is from January to March.
Hawksbill Turtle: These sea turtles are recognized for their pointed beak, thus the name. They can be easily distinguished from their relatives due to their colorful and irregularly patterned shell. Hawksbills are highly migratory and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. As omnivores, these turtles eat everything from algae to sea urchins. Their natural predators are large fish, sharks, crocodiles, birds, dogs and humans. They usually nest in the Kosgoda or Bundala areas, and are listed as being critically endangered.
Loggerhead Turtle: These turtles are recognized by their big heads and reddish brown carapace. While hatchlings live on algae mats floating in warm currents, juveniles can be spotted in coastal waters. Since loggerheads are cold-blooded and avoid temperatures below 13°C, they migrate to warmer waters during the winter months. They are rarely spotted in Sri Lanka, although they have been discovered in Kosgoda, Rekawa and Bundala on several occassions. They are vulnerable to attacks by sharks, killer whales, and seals.
Olive Ridley Turtle: Olive Ridley Rurtles are the smallest sea turtle species. Their shell or carapace is heart-shaped and has an olive green color. Feeding on crabs, shrimp, and jellyfish, these reptiles can be encountered in warm waters around the world, specifically in the Indian and Pacific Ocean. In Sri Lanka, they nest on many different beaches, including Kosgoda, Yala, and other locations between the months of September and November. It is currently estimated that there are around 800,000 Olive Ridley Turtles alive.
Leatherback Turtles: These turtles can grow way over 160cm and weigh over 700 kg. Their shell is softer and smoother, resembling a leather-like texture. Due to their thick layer of insulating fat, these marine animals can survive in colder waters and dive to depths of up to 1000m. Jellyfish is their main source of nutrition. Leatherbacks have been sighted on rare occasions on Sri Lankan shores around Kosgoda, Mawolla, or Rekawa beach.
Why Are They Endangered?
Despite its natural predators, humans are the biggest threat to the sea turtle in Sri Lanka, so it is only right that we do whatever possible to remedy our actions that put them in harm’s way. Under Sri Lanka’s Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, it is prohibited to kill, wound, or harm a turtle. Furthermore, turtle possession or sale, as well as taking or destroying turtle eggs is a federal offense.
Turtle eggs are considered a rare delicacy, and are illegally sold in markets for consumption. This is the main reason for their threatened existence and potential extinction. Other causes include hunting of turtles for meat and shells, loss of nesting grounds, marine debris and fishing accidents.
How Can You Help?
It isn’t enough to marvel at these wonderful marine dwellers. We should all actively contribute to making their lives better. If you are in Sri Lanka, have some time to kill, want to get those karma points and clear up your conscience, volunteer at one of the many Turtle Conservation centres around the country.
Your work would mainly include caring for injured sea turtles, preparing their food and making sure they are well-fed and taken care of. You would also spend time releasing and nurturing baby turtles, so they have a safe journey into adulthood. You would help in maintaining the hatchery, refilling the tanks, and cleaning up. You could also organize or participate in beach clean-ups, to ensure a safe, clean and healthy environment for turtles, other animals as well as fellow human beings.
Photos sourced from Meenakshi Madhavan, Explore Sri Lanka and Antony Stanley
