Turtle Hatchery Kosgoda: Conservation Efforts

Five of the world's seven species of sea turtles nest on the beaches of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, for decades, their eggs were poached by locals for food or sold on the black market. Today, a network of dedicated turtle hatcheries in Kosgoda works tirelessly to protect these endangered ancient mariners.

How the Hatcheries Work

The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project operates on a simple but effective premise. They pay local fishermen more money to turn in nested turtle eggs to the conservation center than they would get selling them on the black market.

• The eggs are then safely re-buried in protected, monitored sand enclosures within the hatchery.
• Once they hatch 50 days later, the tiny baby turtles are kept in large saltwater tanks for a very short period to gain strength before being released into the ocean at night to evade predators.
• The centers also act as hospitals for adult turtles severely injured by boat propellers or fishing nets.

The Release Experience

Visiting the hatchery during the day to learn about the different species (Green, Loggerhead, Leatherback) is fascinating. However, if you visit near sunset, some hatcheries allow tourists (for a small donation) to help release the newly hatched babies onto the beach, watching them scramble toward the surf—an incredibly touching experience for children and adults alike.

A Perfect Stop on the Journey South

Kosgoda is located on the main southern coastal road between Colombo and Galle. It is the perfect 1-hour pit stop to break up the journey. Tell your private taxi driver that you want to include a stop at the Kosgoda hatchery on your way to your southern resort.