It’s a sweltering night on the western coast of Sri Lanka, and on Mount Lavinia beach there’s an unusual flurry of activity. Several young people in orange hi-vis vests are squatting in a circle, digging in the sand in the semi-darkness.

The team of volunteers is patrolling a popular tourist beach on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, scouting for turtle nesting sites. Finding the nests can involve a bit of detective work.

To read the full story visit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/08/sri-lanka-sea-turtle-nesting-conservation-development-poaching-illegal-hatcheries-tourist-industry