Sea Turtles are at Risk: Unraveling the Major Threats and Conservation Challenges Encountered by Sea Turtles in Southern Sri Lanka

Sea turtles are one of the important reptilian groups that have encountered multiple threats around the globe. As a result, many nations are focused on identifying the major threats to sea turtles and focused on their conservation. In this regard, the current study aims to understand the perceptions of coastal dwellers, residents, and various stakeholders involved in sea turtle conservation regarding the major threats and conservation challenges faced by sea turtles along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. To achieve this objective, a semi-structured questionnaire survey was carried out in three administrative districts of southern Sri Lanka. Our survey identified that fisheries bycatch, egg poaching and natural predation were the most important threats to sea turtles. Information from various stakeholders involved in ex situ conservation practices indicated that multiple challenges arise at various stages of the ex situ conservation process. Limited adherence to safe burrowing practices while collecting sea turtle eggs, limited knowledge of safety procedures in hatchery operations, and challenges in the sea turtle rehabilitation process in ex situ conservation were highlighted. Our study recommends that increasing the awareness of egg collectors, dissemination of novel findings of sea turtle research and regular monitoring of sea turtle hatcheries are crucial for sustainable sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka.