A Story of Survival, Written on Sri Lanka’s Beaches

Under the cover of darkness, a female sea turtle slowly emerges from the ocean. Guided by instinct, she crosses the sand, digs a nest and lays her eggs before returning to the sea. Weeks later, tiny hatchlings begin their first journey towards the water, one of the most challenging moments of their lives.

The story of a sea turtle is a story of survival, endurance and the delicate balance of nature. In Sri Lanka, where five of the world's seven marine turtle species nest on its sandy beaches, the Department of Wildlife Conservation is working with community groups, non-governmental organizations and private companies to protect these turtles. Now it is regulating private turtle hatcheries and converting them into marine turtle conservation centres.

Watch how Sri Lanka protects its turtles in this video:

By the Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka.

As we celebrate 25 years of the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, we showcase some of the people, initiatives and communities that have contributed to marine turtle conservation across the region. Visit our Story Map to discover their stories.