Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle Lays Eggs on Kagi Maldives Spa Island’s Beach
Team members of Kagi Maldives Spa Island witnessed Mother Nature’s wonders first hand on Saturday, 15 May 2021, when a critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle laid her eggs at the resort’s beachfront, eight days before World Turtle Day on 23 May, an annual observance to shine a light on the need to protect turtles from their disappearing habitats across the world.
After the mother turtle slowly dragged herself back to the ocean, the resort team promptly secured the nesting site with a protective fence and clearly marked with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. The resort hopes to see the emergence of the hatchlings by the end of July. This was not the first event where a turtle laid eggs at the resort, as there are currently two more nests expected to hatch in June.
[Related: June Sea Turtle Hatching At Kagi Maldives Spa Island »]
Like many sea turtles, Hawksbills also known as Eretmochelys imbricata, are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, due to their beautiful, translucent shell being used for decoration and fashion purposes.
According to studies carried out by the Olive Ridley Project, Hawksbill turtles reach sexual maturity at around 30 years of age and can lay up to 200 eggs in each nest that take forty-five to sixty days to hatch. Interestingly, female Hawksbill turtles return to their hatching sites every two to three years to lay their own eggs.
Located at the tip of North Malé, which is in the heart of Malé Atoll, Kagi Maldives Spa Island is a luxury boutique resort offering a mindful wellness retreat in an inspiring island setting. The 50 all-pool villa resort boasts a spectacular house reef surrounding the island where many resident sea turtles thrive, and some of which choose the island resort as their nesting ground.
More Sea Turtle Nesting & Hatching Sightings At Our Island Resorts
Prodivers Maldives, in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, has identified over 500 sea turtles in the Lhaviyani Atoll. The majority of them can be found at the world-renowned turtle hotspot – Kuredu, where marine life enthusiasts can meet one of about 270 sea turtles residing in the area.
Lhaviyani Atoll’s large sea turtle population allows guests of Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Island Resort, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, and Innahura Maldives Resort to experience snorkelling or diving with these ancient creatures and learn more about the significance of their conservation.
Sea Turtle Experiences Across the Collection
Across the Crown & Champa Resorts Collection, there are opportunities to experience ecologically considerate sea turtle encounters. Green sea turtles can be frequently observed at the ultra-luxury Kudadoo Private Island, the naturally chic Hurawalhi Island Resort, and the top-rated Kuredu Island Resort & Spa. At the adults-only (18+) Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, Green sea turtles and Hawksbill sea turtles can be spotted around the house reef. In the Ari Atoll, where the secluded haven of Veligandu Island Resort & Spa and the diver’s paradise of Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa are situated, Loggerhead sea turtles and Leatherback turtles can be seen swimming and enjoying the waters; whilst the Olive Ridley sea turtles prosper around the family-friendly Meeru Island Resort & Spa in the North Malé Atoll. Turtle Reef, a dive site just off the laid-back Innahura Maldives Resort, is the location where forty-eight (48) Hawksbill sea turtles were spotted in a single dive.
Adopt a Sea Turtle in Partnership with the Olive Ridley Project
At Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Island Resort, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, and Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, guests can participate in adopting a turtle with the Olive Ridley Project and help support conservation efforts. These endeavours include, but are not limited to:
- research, education, and community engagement in all aspects of sea turtle conservation
- supporting the monitoring, protection, and release efforts of Olive Ridley sea turtles and their hatchlings carried out by trained members of the local communities
Crown & Champa Resorts, the leading resort collection in the Maldives, continuously provides guidelines, information, and environmentally conscious excursions to raise awareness for these graceful creatures of the ocean. Additionally, the resorts work closely with organisations such as ProDivers Maldives, Ocean Group Maldives, and Euro-Divers Maldives to help protect sea turtles in the Maldives.
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