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Marine Turtle Newsletter 3:8, © 1977

Turtle Hatcheries in Sri Lanka

Ranjen Fernando
No. 292 Galle Road, Pandura Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

The wide sandy beaches that exist round the island of Sri Lanka are utilized by several of the marine turtles for laying their eggs. The commonest of these are the Loggerheads and the Leathery turtle while the green turtle is a less common visitor.

Turtle eggs and its flesh are considered a delicacy in certain parts of the Island. With the intention of protecting the eggs that are devoured illicitly, in thousands, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Ceylon set up turtle hatcheries in localities where turtle nesting is predominant.

Our 'modus-operandi' is to purchase those eggs that have already been dug out from the nests and would be otherwise devoured. These eggs are reburied in hatcheries, enclosed specially for this purpose. Records are maintained regarding the number of eggs reburied in each nest and the dates of hatching, etc. Once the eggs are hatched out the newly hatched turtles are collected from the hatchery and set free in the adjacent sea. The hatcheries are situated on the beach itself so that conditions for nesting in the artificial nests remain optimum.

During the nesting season of 1975-76, 3280 eggs were buried and 2705 young turtles set free from one of the hatcheries. It has been noticed that any delay in introducing the baby turtles to sea, after they hatch out, increases their mortality.