Turtle Conservation at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort With Eddy

Coastal belt of Sri Lanka home for five types sea turtles. The beach stretch belongs to Anantara Tangalle Resort is also known to be a nesting site for the five marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata, Dermochelys coriacea and Lepidochelys olivacea) which are also nationally and globally Endangered (EN).

Months of December ,January and February best time to see Olive Ridley turtle nesting, while April -May and August - November periods belongs to Green turtle nesting.  The female turtles climb onto the beach during the night and dig a hole, the nest, where they deposit around 100 eggs and she follows the  moonlight back to the water. They prefers more off season and under the vegetation belt on coastal areas (Green turtles). They were nesting even with the rough sea and rough conditions affected turtle nests. When the eggs have completed incubating, 45–55 days after deposit, 

the hatchlings emerge all at the same time. They use a temporary “tooth” attached to their upper jaw, 

called a caruncle, to break through the shell. After digging their way to the surface of the sand. they too use the moonlight as a beacon. They swim several miles off shore and 

eventually get caught up in a current that harbors a plentiful food source. The hatchlings are battling obstacles like predators and pollution to stay alive. Nearly 5% of hatchlings can survive.

Female turtles always ensure not to have plant roots in nesting ground. Too much dry sand disturbing nesting process, falling into the nest and she looks for another location.  Artificial lights disturb nesting females and mislead hatchlings. 

Olive Ridley hatchlings

Nesting of Olive Ridley

Green Turtle hatchling

Note: Don't use direct white light on hatchlings, they may blind. Use red lights instead.

Don't throw pollutants into the beach.

Don't disturb nesting female, she may back to water and scientists seen they were nesting by water and  open ground.

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