Rekawa Turtle Sanctuary
Rekawa (7 km east of Tangalle) is one of the places where
turtles come to lay eggs and, since 1996, has been protected
by the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP). This non-government
organisation is quite distinct from the turtle hatcheries
established on the south-west coast in accordance with
the legislation passed in 1972 protecting the various
turtle species. Instead of collecting the eggs when
they are about to hatch, and looking after the baby
turtles for a few days, the TCP protects the actual
nesting sites without any intervention apart from discouraging
predators.
There is a visitors centre, which
provides a magnificent opportunity to watch this ritual,
inscribed for millions of years in the genetic heritage
of sea turtles. Turtles lay their eggs (when they also
hatch) at night between 19.00 and 03.00. The best time
to go is between January and July when an average of
17 turtles a day come onto the shore at Rekawa. (They
come in smaller numbers during the rest of the year.)
Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world,
five nest at Rekawa, with over 97% being green turtles.
A visit it highly recommended.
Rekawa is best visited from Tangalle
as a 2-hour evening (after dark) tour.
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