Sri Lanka is a breathtaking island nation known for its stunning beauty. It’s no surprise that turtles have also fallen in love with this place, making it their favorite destination to live and give birth to their babies. However, like many other parts of the world, these magnificent creatures are facing the threat of extinction. Amidst this challenge, a sanctuary is working tirelessly to protect and preserve these endangered turtles.
Welcome to the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre, a short drive from Galle and Unawatuna. This center is not only a remarkable experience for travelers but also an opportunity to make a positive impact through your journey. At Contiki, we believe in creating travel experiences that matter, and the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre is one of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTERĀ® Experiences that we offer on our Pure Sri Lanka trip.
A Journey into the Turtle’s World
As you enter the center, you become part of an inspiring movement to save these incredible creatures. Visitors and local volunteers are warmly welcomed to learn about the dangers turtles face both in the ocean and on land. It’s a chance to witness something truly magical: baby turtles. Picture countless adorable hatchlings swimming around in giant tanks filled with sea water. The sight is enough to make any animal lover’s heart skip a beat.
The Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre has been a beacon of hope for over 30 years, driven by a simple yet powerful mission: to protect sea turtle eggs and increase hatching rates. They focus on safeguarding various turtle species, including the Green Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, and Hawksbill Turtle.
The Science Behind Saving Turtles
While the center’s setup may appear simple, there’s a wealth of scientific knowledge that goes into it. For instance, did you know that a turtle’s gender is determined by the temperature after the eggs are laid? If the sand and weather are cooler, the hatchlings will be male, while slightly warmer conditions result in female turtles. To maintain a balanced population, the center may even split a nest and use heat lamps to ensure a favorable gender ratio when the turtles are eventually released back into the wild.
Another remarkable aspect of the center’s work is their attention to detail. Baby turtles instinctively run towards the moon as they hatch, but on beaches near roads, the streetlights can confuse them, leading them astray. To combat this, the conservation center creates a mock moon within the sand nests, guiding the hatchlings in the right direction.
A Battle against Poaching
How does the center acquire these precious eggs? Staff and volunteers patrol known nesting beaches during the night, searching for places where mother turtles have laid their eggs. They protect the mothers during their nesting process and then bring the eggs back to the center to hatch. Occasionally, poachers get to the eggs first, but the center offers to buy them back at a higher rate than the black market, encouraging locals to come forward and entrust the precious cargo to the conservationists.
Poaching remains a persistent challenge due to the difficulty of enforcement. Sea turtles lay their eggs at night, making it challenging to catch poachers who are familiar with the area. Additionally, the black market adds layers of secrecy to the sale of turtle products, making it even more challenging for the government and authorities to intervene. That’s why places like the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre play a vital role in preserving these magnificent creatures by bridging the gap between poachers and the protection of turtles.
A Haven for Turtles in Need
The center not only focuses on hatching baby turtles but also provides a permanent home for turtles that cannot be released back into the wild. Among these residents are turtles with shell deformities, genetic differences, and those who have fallen victim to fishing nets and lost limbs. Here, they are cared for and sheltered from predators. It’s a heartwarming reminder that someone is looking out for the most vulnerable among us, ensuring they live their lives in a safe and nurturing environment.
While the center’s efforts to hatch eggs and nurture baby turtles in tanks are not the ideal solution, they represent a significant step towards educating locals and rebuilding a strong and healthy turtle population. Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where turtles can thrive in the wild without the threat of poaching. With every visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre, you become a part of this important journey.
Now is the time to embark on a travel experience that matters. Discover more about our MAKE TRAVEL MATTERĀ® experiences and find out how you can make a difference in the communities and places you visit. Join us in protecting these incredible creatures and ensuring a future where both humans and turtles can enjoy the beauty of the sea. DHPL Travels