The turtle that has become a hot topic today is entitled to a life time spanning hundreds of years although the species is facing extinction.
Is there a truth to the stories that are making rounds about the albino turtle? Our production team reached the turtle conservation centre in Benthota south in search of the truth.
A number of turtle conservation projects are underway along the coastal areas from the Western Province to the Southern Province. Kithsiri Kannangara who is charge of the turtle conservation projects in Bentota South said that the turtles lay eggs at night on the beach that stretches from Mt. Lavinia to Hikkaduwa. Due to human activity the eggs get destroyed. The turtle hatcheries have come up in those areas to protect them. The eggs are kept inside protective cages. No sooner the hatchlings come out they are released to the sea. There are 5 varieties of turtles in the country. They are the green turtle, the Olive Ridley turtle, Hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle and leatherback turtle. The World Wildlife Fund has identified the turtle as an endangered species. Therefore it has been prohibited to keep them, collect turtle eggs or consume them. He said that albino turtles can be born in any of the above varieties and their life span can be short as they are more fragile.
It is the duty of the people to conserve the turtle which is an innocent animal.
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