In Côn Dao, a remote island district in southern Vietnam’s Bà Ria-Vung Tàu province, a unique sea turtle conservation program allows visitors to actively participate in marine ecosystem protection by helping release baby turtles back into their natural habitat.
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Côn Dao is one of the few places in Vietnam offering this experience. Since 2018, the « Let’s Get Cracking » center—cofounded by the Côn Dao National Park and Six Senses Côn Dao—has cared for and released over 29,000 baby turtles into the sea, boasting an impressive hatching success rate of 82%.
Each year from March to October, the pristine beaches of Côn Dao welcome returning female turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs. This crucial moment in the turtle life cycle is also one of the most perilous. In addition to natural predators and environmental changes, human activity poses a major threat to their survival.
The « Let’s Get Cracking » hatchery plays a vital role in protecting these marine creatures by carefully monitoring the conditions required for their development. Thanks to sustained efforts, the survival chances of hatchlings are improving, offering hope for future generations and the preservation of marine ecological balance.
From May to December, Côn Dao’s beaches regularly host turtle release events, giving visitors the moving opportunity to witness the turtles’ first steps into the ocean. For many, it’s an unforgettable, emotional experience filled with powerful lessons about nature and responsibility.
In addition to turtle releases, the center also organizes workshops and talks led by Six Senses’ sustainability team, covering turtle biology, behavior, and the threats they face.
Ms. Erkaiym Tabyldieva, Sustainability Manager at Six Senses Côn Dao, emphasizes:
“Every turtle released represents not only a saved life but also hope for a fragile ecosystem. We aim to awaken a deeper connection with nature in each visitor, helping them realize how even the smallest actions can make a lasting impact.”
Green turtles, vital to marine ecosystems, are now endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. The Côn Dao National Park and Six Senses actively encourage visitors to get involved in conservation efforts and to learn about concrete measures in place to protect these precious species.
May 23 marks World Turtle Day, launched in 1990 by the U.S.-based nonprofit American Tortoise Rescue. The day aims to raise awareness of the need to protect both terrestrial and marine turtles, along with their endangered habitats.
Research shows that awareness days like this can significantly boost public interest in biodiversity. World Turtle Day is a notable example, having contributed to increased online searches and public engagement around endangered species.
Source: lecourrier
