AN INJURED GREEN TURTLE RESCUED IN THALARAMBA BEACH

Based on the information provided by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel, an injured Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) was rescued at Thalaramba beach, Mirissa with the support of the villages on 12^th February 2022. The rescued turtle with a gaping wound in its head was unable to swim and found very close to the shore.

Sea turtles have many recognized roles in the evolution and maintenance of the structure and dynamics of marine ecosystems. Sri Lanka is famous for five kinds of turtle’s species including Green Turtles, Leatherbacks, Olive Ridleys, Hawksbills and Loggerheads who regularly visit the sandy beaches to nest in Sri Lanka's South beaches including Mirissa. The SLCG also launched a Coast Guard Turtle Conservation Project (CGTCP) in September 2012 with the purpose of preserving the turtles, eggs and raising the awareness of sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka as a part of the duties and functions of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to assist in the conservation of marine species.

The rescued turtle was handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation Officers at Mirissa for further medical treatment.