Survivor Of Natural Disaster Inspired To Do The Unthinkable
After being forced to flee his hometown with his mother, siblings, and neighbors, one native Sri Lankan developed a passion and new level of appreciation for wildlife which blossomed into an incredible lifetime of conservation work. Charith Dilshan watched in horror that day as the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami leveled their house and left them homeless, having lost everything they owned. Him and his family found a new means of housing on the beach, and Dilshan was inspired to create his own sea turtle sanctuary right in his front yard. This turned into a full-scale operation, consisting of keeping the eggs safe and ensuring a successful hatch as well as release for the tiny neonates. His sanctuary is also a haven for injured sea turtles, to which he provides tender loving care until they can be released. He doesn’t just care for the sea turtles, however. Part of his mission is also to educate the locals on the dangers of fishing hooks and nets. He believes that bringing awareness to the effects of ocean littering is an important step to conserving sea turtles worldwide. Charith Dilshan’s life is an awe-inspiring story of dedication to conservation.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
USA: Baseball player finds passion in chelonians
USA: Marine scientists dedicates 17 years to sea turtle data collection
USA: Debates arise over fishing regulations
USA: New development putting Gopherus polyphemus at high risk
Asia: Local conservation group works to save their nation’s sea turtles
USA: Nest excavation reveals two stragglers
Biology
India: Nilssonia carapace uncovered at Tasek Lake
Crime & Punishment
AU: Costly stolen goods from turtle centre recovered
Miscellany
USA: Marine Science Institute braves hurricane Harvey
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Photo from Aya Okawa.
