‘Rescue me appeal’ by turtle in distress

Priyanka KURUGALA

A turtle is waiting to be rescued after being stuck in a stone reef close to Kosgoda.

The marine reptile had been lying in distress unnoticed until it was spotted by chance by aesthetics teacher of Rambadagalla Central College, Jagath Kumara and his students during a tour on Friday. It was obviously in agony and waiting for someone with a kindly disposition to animals to rescue it from its plight. It had already lost its right limb. Its sad eyes spoke volumes of prolonged suffering, an expression that called out for help. There are many organisations espousing animal welfare and animal rights. In addition, the Wildlife Department is known to come to the rescue of wounded animals and those in difficulty.

However their action is not always spontaneous as can be seen from the predicament of this turtle.

On the other hand, there are a vast number of people in Sri Lanka known to be animal lovers. It is hoped that some kind soul among them would come to the aid of the turtle and relieve it of its agony.

Dr Nihal Dayawansa of the Colombo University Zoological Department said there are seven turtle species in the world.

“Some are critically endangered. Five species out of the seven, come to Sri Lankan beaches to lay eggs. Protecting the turtle is very important,” he said.