This turtle conservation center was set up by local fishermen, initially set up on a small scale with only limited resources, but after finding Daihatsu as a sponsor it was possible to expand and build more basins. This is not done to be a tourist attraction (like at other locations) this centre is open the whole year not only in the time where there are baby turtles. It is a great place and there is no entrance fee but you can leave a donation.
Komang Gunawan is the man who runs the conservatory now, he is the son of the fisherman together with other (retired) fisherman who opened this centre in 2009 after he retired as a fisherman and together with other fishermen and with the support of the village they had the idea to give something back to the sea after they have caught a lot of fish from sea while they were fisherman. They started collecting the turtle eggs and this resulted in the first baby turtles. It was all small scale until someone visited the place who worked for Daihatsu and a few weeks later they received a big donation and with this money they could expand and build several basins where the baby turtles are now swimming around in until they are big enough to be released into the ocean. When you visit the centre you can actually do this yourself if it is the right time but here it doesn’t cost you anything extra.
They preserve the eggs that are laid on the beaches in the area and are bury them with a card with the data and when the eggs come out and in this way they try to prevent the turtles from extinction, but unfortunately 80% of the baby turtles will not survive once they are set out in the ocean.
They also have bigger turtles, sometimes they are rescued from the nets of the fisherman or they are sick and just need a place to recover.
There is no commercial gain here as they do everything from the heart and in the interest of keeping up the turtle population.
Warung Kurma Asih
There is also a warung where you can have a drink or have lunch, it is really a nice place located right at the beach, enjoy a coffee or fresh fruit juice and relax in comfortable sun beds and just enjoy the things you see and the sounds you hear which would be the waves mostly other than that it is very quiet there, long stretched out beaches without a tourist in sight, just feel the wind and the sound of the ocean. All in all a great place to spend some time.
Kurma Asih Turtle Conservatory is a foundation depending on volunteers and just like with every foundation a donation is appreciated, but as it should be with a donation, it is entirely voluntary. They also work together with the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) in Serangan.
Rundung #Megae 