Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center, Kosgoda Sri Lanka

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

On a recent visit to Sri Lanka one of the highlights was a visit to the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center, Sri Lanka's pioneering sea turtle conservation project. Here I saw different kinds of turtles that are seen on the shores of Sri Lanka.

I saw lots of turtle eggs which had been placed under sand in a secure environment until they were ready to hatch and released back to the sea and baby turtles in water tanks. This is done to protect them from predators and poachers. There also have few turtles which have some physical disabilities and wounds caused by plastic and netting.

Their mission is to work for the conservation of sea turtle and extend the knowledge over the world. Their vision is to save the sea turtle for the future.

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

My tour guide had good English and explained about sea turtle life, what they do to support them, and showed me different types of turtles, some of them are very rare in the wild. the money from the entrance tickets and donations help support the project. There is a gift shop with proceeds going to help operate the project.

A visit to the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center provides lots of information about why Sri Lanka (and the village of Kosgoda in particular) is a prime turtle nesting site, why the conservation project is needed and how the project is operated by local people with the help of international volunteers.

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

The lifetime dedication of the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center is to make it easy to protect and conserve Sri Lanka’s wildlife and its habitats particularly endangered species, especially the turtle. The main goal is to save nature for the future by leading, facilitating and encouraging human beings to save, conserve and enhance the environment including national habitats, flora and fauna. They aim to motivate people to take actions for conservation in every way for the preservation of flora fauna biodiversity and the natural environment.

The turtles native to Sri Lanka can be seen here, including the common Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle and Leatherback Turtle.

HISTORY IN BRIEF
This hatchery started 1978 as the first Turtle Hatchery in Sri Lanka founded by Dr. Upen de Silva & Dr. R. S. B Wickremsinghe.

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

A guest from a Swidish Camera Company had taken a photo of a sea turtle nearby this nape, Kosgoda beach and had informed Dr. Silva about the species. After that they came to meet Mr. K.S Abrew and followed a way to find sea turtles. Firstly, a square was established just ion the naked seashore and kept all the eggs in it and they were vigilant on that. It was a wonder at that era and tiny turtles came out and went to the sea. This wonderful incident was informed to the Camera Company which was in Sweeden. In 1980, Dr. Upendra Silava and Dr. Wickramasingha contacted Swidish Camera Company and got funds to obtain this land for conservation purpose and Mr. K.S Abrew was appointed to be the in charge and the care taker of this turtle conservation place.

At that moment Mr. K.C Abrew was a teenage of 17s and followed his father’s footsteps and dedicated whole life, time, energy and skills to continue and develop the conservation center up to date. Luckily at the moment Mr. K.S Abrew is proudly running his hatchery with the help of his one and only son Mr. K.I Abrew for the future always giving their honor to Dr. Upendra, Dr. Wicramasinghe and that lucky cameramen of Swedish Camera Company. Founders: Mr. K.S Abrew, Dr. Upendra Silva, Dr. Wickramasinghe

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

WHY THEY ARE ASTONISHING

• Tagging
• They own the pure records of White Sea turtle
• Great recognition and place for worldwide volunteers
• Beautiful and clean beach experienceThey possess very old records of sea turtle
• Healing and Rescuing sea turtles
• Release of the highest record up to 4 and half million turtles
• Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center, Kosgoda is the 1st turtle conservation center established in Sri Lanka in 1978.

THEIR SERVICES

• Educational programmes for school children
• Awareness raising for public
• Experience for Volunteers
• Certification for worldwide volunteers
• Turtle releasing events for special life events (as request)

BE A VOLUNTEER
Residential or part-time Volunteers for an agreed upon time period are welcome at the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center, Kosgoda. Here volunteers can learn, get live experience with turtles, live movements, photography, knowledge sharing and do researches and experiments as well.

Being a volunteer at the hatchery will be an honour to anyone in accordance with the range of knowledge and experience earned. They provide a world accepted valid certificate to all volunteers after completing their successful voluntary service period.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT?
Protecting eggs and buying eggs from dealers is not an easy task specifically fixing a money rate. But they need to conserve sea turtles for the future and need your help and encouragement to continue this hard mission. You can help them by-

• Donating
• Pyblicising the conservation center
• Sending them more volunteers
• Sending them more visitors
• Promoting their center for researchers etc.

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center

School Lane, Nape (Behind the Police Station) Kosgoda, Sri Lanka.
Phone: +94 71 7879928
Email: info@htrcc.info

Website: http://www.htrcc.info/index.html