RESEARCH ARTICLE

MARINE TURTLE CONCERVATION PROJECT AT BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Five of the world's seven species of marine turtle come ashore to nest in the beaches of Sri Lanka. All five species are listed as endangered by the world conservation union (IUCN), and protected under national law.

All five species of marine turtles visit Sri Lanka nest at Bundala beach, which is about 16 Km in length every year during the turtle nesing period. Bundala cost line host nesting endangered Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivaceae), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Hawksbill turtle (Dermochelys imbricata) and Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys Coriaceae) Leatherback turtle is critically endangered species in the world.

Green turtles and Olive Readly turtles both visited Bundala beach for nesting during last four years Olive Readly nested three hundred and nine times (309) for the last four years. Year 2004 and year 2005 was not recorded any nesting sites of Logger head and Leatherback turtle on the Bundala beach, While Hawks bill turtle did not come last three years to Bundala beach except only single nesting site was recorded year 2004.

There are one hundred nineteen (119) uncertain arrivals of individuals were recorded. Uncertain means no direct evidence for which species made the nests, but nesting sites could be found on the beach. However compare to year 2002 and 2003 number of uncertain records comparatively reduce year 2004 and 2005.

Two conservation methods i:e in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation method were applied for hatch of turtle eggs. Irrespective of the method used the success rate of hatchling of Green turtle and Olive readly were more than 85%. Lowest rate was recorded for Olive readly as 15.2%. Highest success rate were recorded in 2005 (83.4%) (Table 2) Wild boar and feral dogs are the main predators of turtle eggs on Bundala beach. To protect from predators, used concrete cylinders (dia - 30", height - 1 1/2', thickness 2") and labeled it to easy to identification, and determine the date of hatchlings come out.

Keywords: Marine Turtle,Conservaiton, Bundala, National Park

How to Cite: De Silva,I.H.S.K, (2006). MARINE TURTLE CONCERVATION PROJECT AT BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK.WILDLANKA, 1(1):Pages 169-174

Published On:2006-01-01

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