The Mahamodara Sea Turtle Hatchery is a family-run conservation project dedicated to protecting and preserving the fast-dwindling population of sea turtles that frequent the shores of Sri Lanka. Here is all you need to know about the hatchery and its dedication to this worthy cause.
Peter van der Sluijs, Baby turtles swimming Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 3.0
Background and Context
Five species of sea turtles visit the island’s shores to lay their eggs. However many are injured or killed due to fishing, boat traffic and pollution. Additionally, several laid turtle eggs do not hatch, while many hatchlings fail to make their way to ocean waters safely. This has collectively resulted in the rapid decline of the sea turtle population around Sri Lanka.
To help save these gentle creatures, the Mahamodara Sea Turtle Hatchery helps to care for injured sea turtles, and ensures that baby sea turtles safely hatch and return to the oceans.
Efforts
The volunteers at the hatchery rescue injured sea turtles, and care for them until they are deemed fit to return to the ocean. The centre also has incubation facilities that ensure sea turtle eggs are safely hatched and guided back to the waters.
Visiting the Mahamodara hatchery is one of the many popular things to do in Galle because it allows visitors to witness these conservation efforts first-hand. The volunteers provide guided tours, educate the public about their cause, and allow visitors to participate in conservation efforts such as collecting turtle eggs and caring for the turtles.
Location
The Hatchery is a few minutes from Galle and is easily accessible via the Colombo-Galle main road. Tourists residing a little away from the town in hotels like the KK Beach Galle – Sri Lanka, will be a quick 20-minute drive away.
Things to Keep in Mind
There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting the hatchery. Although visitors are allowed to touch the turtles, this must be done with care as several turtles are injured or unwell.
Also, be mindful of bringing plastic items into the hatchery and dispose of them responsibly.
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