Colombo, Dec.6 (Daily Mirror) – The largest and 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.
