DIMO comes forward to conserve Sea Turtles in Arugam Bay

Sea Turtles or marine turtles are turtles that inhabit all of the world’s oceans except the Arctic. And most species of sea turtles are endangered. The seven living species of sea turtles are: Flat back Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Sea turtles constitute a single radiation that became distinct from all other turtles around 110 million years ago.

Sea Turtles have few natural predators in adulthood. They are however extremely vulnerable when young and particularly as hatchlings, when they can be attacked by mammals, birds, crabs and fish amongst others. Nests of eggs make an attractive food source to many scavengers. However, by far the most dangerous predators of turtles are humans. Turtles and their eggs are valuable commodities in the black market. Many view turtle eggs as an aphrodisiac; as a symbol of fertility and they send the eggs to other countries. In Sri Lanka, sea turtle nests are robbed of their eggs by poachers who look to sell them on the black market. Furthermore, turtles are vulnerable to extreme weather, habitat degradation/loss and sea or beach pollution; much of which has been caused by human activity.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) recently took steps to actively involve and fund the Turtle Conservation Project along the Panama coastal area. This program was done together with the expertise and know-how of the Environment Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd. (EFL), and stretches along a 4km area. DIMO is the first private company in Sri Lanka to financially assist a Turtle Conservation program. “As a responsible corporate entity, DIMO is proud to partner with EFL in this Turtle Conservation project with EFL, where we identified the importance of protecting sea turtles. We share the oceans and the beaches with many other species. And if humans can alter their behavior, there is still time to save sea turtles from extinction.

Eventually, we may be saving one of the earth’s most mysterious and time-honored creatures. Through this project we are converting poachers into protectors, which I believe is a commendable accomplishment,” commented Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman-DIMO. Ultimate goal of this initiative is to bring a multi-stakeholder integrated approach with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Coast Conservation Department (CCD), various NGO’s and the Panama fishing community towards protecting this coastal stretch.