Foreign Tortoises Discovered Along Sri Lankan Coast

Two tortoises with distinctive yellow and black colouring have been discovered for the first time along Sri Lanka's coastline. According to Tennyson Priyawardhana, a wildlife officer at the Muthurajawela Wildlife Sanctuary, these tortoises are suspected to have arrived in the country via sea routes from a foreign nation.

Species Not Previously Recorded in Sri Lanka

There is no prior evidence of these tortoise species being recorded in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this discovery marks a unique and significant event. Wildlife officials, under the legal authority granted by the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, have initiated steps to identify the species and determine their origin.

Veterinary Examination and Species Identification

The tortoises have been sent to the Bellanwila Veterinary Unit for examination. A specialist veterinarian has been instructed to identify the species and confirm their classification. Preliminary investigations suggest the yellow tortoise, weighing around 40 kilograms, may belong to the Aldabra giant tortoise species, commonly found in Africa and the Seychelles.

How They Were Found

The yellow tortoise was discovered floating near the Pitipana coast, approximately 15–20 kilometers offshore. It was captured by local fishermen and handed over to a military officer before being transferred to wildlife officials.

The black tortoise was found around 25–30 kilometers west of the Colombo port, floating in the sea. A fisherman who initially intended to sell it was persuaded by a concerned citizen to surrender it to the Pugoda Police, who then handed it over to wildlife officers.

Uncertain Mode of Arrival

Experts believe this is the first confirmed sighting of these two species in Sri Lanka, and they are not native to the island. The exact method of arrival remains unclear. However, it is suspected that the tortoises may have fallen off a ship or drifted to Sri Lanka due to changing ocean currents.

Court Orders and Further Investigation

Negombo Additional Magistrate Sudarshima Premaratne has ordered the tortoises to be kept under the Department of Wildlife Conservation’s custody until May 20, 2025, while further investigations and species verification are conducted.

Ecological Concerns and Public Advisory

Wildlife officials have warned that the introduction of non-native species could pose risks to Sri Lanka's ecosystem. They emphasize the importance of conducting in-depth research and proper management of such cases. Environmentalists suggest that global warming and changes in ocean currents may be pushing foreign species beyond their natural habitats.

The public is urged to report unusual or foreign animals found in coastal areas to authorities, rather than attempting to capture or sell them.