In the shadowy light of the moon, tiny turtles wobble along the beach inching towards the ancient call of the ocean, their home since time immemorial. A few human figures watch the hatchlings’ progress, their hearts brimming with relief, fear and hope for the sea turtles. This is not a scene from a movie about wildlife conservation but part of their day to day life to those at the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. You too can share in this incredible experience for they welcome guests to join them for baby turtle release sessions.
Located within easy reach of Kalutara, the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation project is dedicated to protecting the sea turtle population. AVANI Kalutara Resort is one of the many blissful havens amongst Kalutra resort options, where you can savour the quiet coastal life and stay on top of saving the world’s turtle population one batch at a time.
Once the sun sinks into the ocean, the staff at Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation project wanders the beach looking for mother sea turtles. They stand sentinel in utmost secrecy to the egg-laying mother turtles and relocate their eggs to the safety of the conservation project’s hatchery. Once they hatch, the baby turtles need to be released on the beach to begin their precarious journey into the ocean and to adulthood. Approximately one in a 1000 baby turtles survive into maturity. Releasing baby turtles into the sea with your hopes and blessings stacked on each tiny figure can be an endearing experience.
The conservation project has been actively engaged in increasing the survival rate of baby turtles whilst caring for injured adults. Coastal Sri Lanka is favoured by five types of sea turtles, namely, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle and the Leatherback Turtle.
The fight to save these marine creatures goes on.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
