Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

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There are 18 turtle hatcheries along the southern coast of the country. Among them, Kosgoda turtle hatchery, started in 1981, is one of the oldest turtle conservation projects in Sri Lanka. Kodgoda turtle hatchery is quite popular for having all five turtle species seen on the country's beaches. Functioning as a hatchery, Kosgoda projects envisage much more to preserve the turtle life on the shore. They run various activities and volunteer programs for locals and international tourists to go through and have a knowledge of processes of turtle hatching.

Turtle Species Protected at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

There are only 7 turtle species identified in the world itself (six of them classified as endangered because of human actions) and Sri Lankan has recorded 5 species nestling on its pristine beaches. Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery houses 4 of all five turtle species in Sri Lanka including "white turtle", the very rare species.

1. Leather Back - It is the largest and the oldest of all sea turtles sizing around 4 to 8 inches and weighing between 225 -900 kg.
2. Green Turtle - It is the second-largest turtle species that weighs around 225 kg and sizes up to four feet in length.
3. Olive Redley Turtle - It is the second smallest species after the Kemp’s ridley - weighs around 34 - 45 kg and sizes between 2-2 ½ feet in length.
4. Hawksbill Turtle - It is an attractive variety with colorful shells and seen in coral reefs, lagoons, shallow coastal areas, and mangroves. Adults weigh between 45 - 90 kg and reach 2 - 3 feet in length.
5. Loggerhead Turtle - One of the larger species of sea turtles that weighs 90 - 180 kg and sies up to 1.2 meters in length

Activities & Hatching Process Undertaken by Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery keeps a determined goal to protect sea turtle eggs by increasing hatching rates. In addition to mere hatching, they care for wounded, disabled, and weak turtles from fishing. At nights, the volunteers walk down the shore looking for turtles that are about to lay eggs. Once the mother turtles are over with laying eggs, the volunteers take the eggs to the hatchery from the beach. The eggs might take 45 to 60 days to develop and hatch. Once hatched, the baby turtles are returned to the ocean quite quickly, normally in the late evenings in order to reduce the preying of birds and crabs.

Where Located & How to Reach Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is located in a coastal village located on the South Western stretch of Sri Lanka with a relaxing atmosphere for beach holidaymakers as well. The village is located around 70 Kilometers away from Colombo city. Getting here is quite easy by road. Whether you are opting bus or driving your vehicle, Colombo -Galle A2 highway or E01 Southern Express highways are your options, both taking you less than two hours to reach the turtle hatchery.

Being a Volunteer at Kosgoda Hatchery

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery provides an interesting activity for any locals or tourists who have a flair for loving nature and learning about turtle habitats. You can have both short-term and long-term projects of your own ideas here. If you let them know prior to your arrival, they can facilitate the best options and ideas for you. Most commonly, guests simply become a part of its daily activities like searching for eggs, taking them to the hatchery, caring for the wounded, feeding them, and protecting the habitats. At a price, it can provide you accommodation and foods in addition to several recreational programs like water sports and excursions. Better you do some research about the mission on the internet beforehand if you are intending to be a part of the Kosgoda project in order to have easy ways around the turtle things.