Watch out! Leatherback turtles are coming

• This species of turtle is one of the five most rare turtle species in the world

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

The largest and most rare turtle species, known as leatherback sea turtles,have been spotted arriving in the Kalametiya and Rekawa coastal areas, the Wildlife Conservation Department said.  They said this species of turtle is one of the five most rare turtle species in the world.   

Therefore, the Wildlife Department informed the fishing community to be careful when fishing as these leatherback turtles arrive at the beaches to lay their eggs.  

The department also informed them to contact the department immediately if they find any injured turtles.   The Leatherback Sea Turtle is listed as one of the seven most iconic wild animals, as published by the Wildlife Conservation Department. The list includes the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, Sloth Bear, Blue Whale, Black-necked Stork, Saltwater Crocodile, and Leatherback Sea Turtle.   Leatherback sea turtles undertake the longest migrations between breeding and feeding areas of any sea turtle, some averaging 3,700 miles each way. Leatherbacks occupy U.S. waters in the Northwest Atlantic, West Pacific, and East Pacific. Within the United States, the majority of nesting occurs in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

The Wildlife Official said these turtles used to lay eggs on beaches where they were born, and the turtles arriving at our beach areas are probably more than 100 years old. These turtles swim more than 7,000 miles across the Pacific, and they  complete the longest journey from the U.S. West Coast.  

Meanwhile, wildlife conservators have found carcasses of three huge turtles washed ashore at Wedikanda in Ratmalana last morning.   Range Conservator Daman Liyanage said the cause of the deaths of the three turtles was yet to be established.  

He said the season of laying eggs for turtles had commenced and that the three turtles would have died in the deep sea on their way to the beach to lay eggs. He said they were large turtles, weighing 50, 40, and 30 kilos.  

The Range Conservator said he would submit a report in this regard to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate and refer the carcasses to the Attidiya Wildlife Conservation Office for further action.