News
Turtle conservation in troubled sands
View(s):The conservation of turtles in the southern coast is facing a threat from both humans and animals.
Story and pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi in Hambantota
In spite of attempts by Wildlife officials, around 200 to 500 turtle eggs are destroyed on a daily basis by people who dig out the eggs buried in the sand and sell them and as night falls by packs of stray dogs and wild boar who sniff out the eggs and gobble them up.
Weligama, Mirissa, Habaraduwa, Rekawa, Bundala are among the areas well known for turtles.
Wildlife officials have asked the local authorities to take steps to reduce the number of stray dogs on the beaches and assist in the conservation of turtles which have been declared as an endangered species.
Stray dogs on the beach: A threat to turtle eggs
Safe and secure: Turtle eggs away from the beach
Conservationists examine turtle eggs
Hatched turtles make their way to the sea with a little help from a friend