Kosgoda Turtle Hatcheries, Sri Lanka

Kosgoda is a village on the south-west coast between Bentota and Balapitiya, and its beach is one of the most important turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka. Several turtle hatcheries line the coast road here. They are a very popular stop, especially with families. They are also a mixed bag, so it's worth knowing how they work and what to look for.

How a hatchery works

Five species of sea turtle nest in Sri Lanka, and all of them are threatened. On unprotected beaches, eggs are often dug up to be eaten or sold. Hatcheries pay local people to bring the eggs to them. The eggs are reburied in fenced sand pens, and when the young hatch, they are released into the sea. Visitors pay a small entrance fee, which funds the work.

On a visit of 20 to 30 minutes, a guide shows you the egg pens, tanks of hatchlings and a few larger turtles, some of them injured or disabled animals that can't survive in the wild.

The problems

Marine biologists have raised real concerns about how many hatcheries operate.

• Holding hatchlings in tanks. Newly hatched turtles have a short burst of energy that carries them out to sea. Keeping them in tanks for days, so that tourists can see them, wastes that energy and lowers their chances of survival.
• Daytime releases. Hatchlings naturally emerge at night. Releasing them in daylight, often for paying tourists, exposes them to birds and fish.
• Handling. Letting visitors hold turtles stresses the animals and can spread disease.
• Keeping healthy adult turtles in small tanks as exhibits.

Choosing a responsible hatchery

Ask a few questions before you pay.

• How soon are hatchlings released? The best answer is "the same night they hatch".
• Can I hold the turtles? A good hatchery says no.
• Why are the larger turtles here? They should be injured or unreleasable animals.

If a place offers you a turtle to hold for a photo, or sells daytime releases, consider walking away. Your choice shapes how these businesses behave.

A better way to see turtles

To see a turtle nesting in the wild, join the community-run night watch at Rekawa near Tangalle. You can also see wild turtles feeding in shallow water at Hikkaduwa, Dalawella and Polhena, where you should watch without touching or feeding them. Our sea turtle guide covers all of these.

Getting there

Kosgoda is on the main coast road and railway line, about 15 minutes south of Bentota and 2 hours from Colombo. It combines easily with a Madu River boat trip a few kilometres further south.